It may not be surprising that Jesus said, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist,” but there’s another half of the sentence that makes one curious: “… yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
We can be sure the truth of this statement has more to do with God than us… though Jesus tells us we do have a part to play: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
So how does one become greater than John the Baptist? A smart Jewish leader named Nicodemus was quite puzzled when the Rabbi from Nazareth told him the secret involved something beyond being born of a woman. I saw a bumper sticker recently that read: “I WAS BORN OK THE FIRST TIME.” But Jesus taught a different message: “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again… I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of heaven unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
As Jesus praised John the Baptist, He knew the Father’s plan was to have a Spirit-born family. Each child of God comes to a stark conclusion as the destructive power of sin is realized: “I’m not OK!” And when the Good News of a perfect Savior shedding his blood for our forgiveness draws a soul to God, a child is born. Jesus knew what was to take place shortly after John was beheaded: He would suffer and die for the sins of the world; He would be buried and rise on the third day; He would appear to many before ascending to the right hand of the Father; then, at the appointed time, He would pour out the Holy Spirit to all who put their faith in him. Peter taught those accepting Jesus’ invitation at Pentecost of the wonderful promise of God: “And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” That’s us.
“Lord, fill us each day with your Spirit! May we walk in the Spirit and may you produce in us the fruit of the Spirit that we may live like Jesus on this earth. Empower us to accomplish what we cannot do in our own strength. Thank you for invading our hearts and writing your laws on our minds. We rejoice in your unending love.”
“Yet to all who received him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13