“Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)
In reading this statement of Jesus, we must not salivate at the prospect of getting a greater reward based on God’s grace than what John the Baptist would receive based on his works. I don’t think Jesus was talking about prestige as much as He was raising the bar for upright living.
Jesus praised John and said he was a straight shooter, but that he who is least in God’s kingdom is greater. What He meant was that the standard of righteousness in the kingdom is so high, it surpasses John’s. That’s the upward call of God in Christ we are to live up to. Let’s focus on conforming to the image and likeness of Jesus and leave the rewarding up to our Father.
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