“Truly I tell you, ” Jesus said, “among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist…”

Jesus thinks very highly of His cousin, John.  John was not so much “the Baptist” as he was “the Baptizer.”  He didn’t take to any particular denomination himself, so to identify him by what he did might be more accurate.

To be “a Baptist” today means that you would probably only go to certain churches. John probably didn’t darken any religious institutions of his day, ever.  He liked-so we’re told-to hang out in the wilderness.  He may have met for a while with a group known as the Essenes (Google it), but they weren’t all that ecumenical either.

Enough of that.  Yes, Jesus was impressed with John, so much so that He chose to go to him to be baptized (see Matthew 3:13-17). Later, when Jesus spoke of His beloved relative, He said the above passage, which, when you think about it, is about the nicest thing you could ever say about someone!

John was a leader.  He was a leader with a purpose.  His job was to prepare people for Jesus to come and save the world.  It was his sole purpose to get everyone ready.  We all have a little of “the Baptist” in us.  No – we’re not suggesting that we change denominations, but we are suggesting that we do a little “preparing of ourselves” each day.  The Bible says, “You never know when the end is coming…” (see Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21.)

Say your prayers.  That’ll help.  Talking with God can make all the difference in your day.  Use your Bible, daily devotional book, or Bible study guide.  Or, maybe you like to just pick randomly from your Bible; that’ll work as well.  Whatever “floats your boat.”  Any of these help you tune in to God’s lifeline.  You might even get to hear Him speak back to you!

The proverbial curve is coming when you read Matthew 11:11, the words where Jesus says John was the greatest person born of woman.  Listen to what else Jesus said about John in the same breath:

“…yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he…”
The Lord wants us to know that we’re mighty special to Him.  But He also wants us to know that what makes us “great” is that we are, the same time, the least of this world.  It’s only in humility and compassion that we show God’s true greatness.  Loving others is the best way to show a love of God.  No doubt.

This Advent day, go.  Do. Care. Live.  God will bless your work, and you-the least of these-will also be the greatest!

Remember, God loves you and so do we!
Pastor Jim