Greatness in the Eyes of God

John 3:26-30: "They came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-the one you testified about-well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.' To this John replied, 'A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.'"

John 10:41: "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true."

Matthew 11:11: (Jesus said) "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist."

John the Baptist is a great example of a man who had the right perspective concerning his purpose in life. He had a significant following of disciples around the Jordan River, where he taught the people repentance. So impacting was his ministry, that "the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him" in the desert to hear his preaching of repentance (Mark 1:4-5). John had amassed quite a following of people who wanted to hear more about God's forgiveness of sins; however, when Jesus began his ministry, many people deserted John in favor of Jesus. John's disciples warned their leader that they were losing their following.

John rightfully identified Jesus as the Christ, and he knew that his own purpose in ministry was to exalt the Messiah over himself. John could exclaim that he was full of joy, for he knew that the true Bridegroom had come into the world to bring the very repentance of which he had been preaching. One of the most profound statements found in all of scripture is John's response to his disciples' concern about Jesus' ministry: "He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less."

In effect, John was saying, "It's not about me . . . It's about my Lord . . . He should have the praise . . . I yield myself to Him."

What is fascinating is a very small statement made several chapters later in John 10; in the text, John is described as having never performed a miraculous sign. John was not the flashy prophet who parted waters or called down fire from heaven or raised people from the dead. He was an ordinary man who was obedient to God's calling to teach repentance and who submitted himself to His Lord. He was not the type of prophet who attempted to draw attention to himself . . . he wanted Jesus to receive the praise.

So, what was Jesus' opinion of John the Baptist? If one reads the Matthew 11 passage above, one can see that Jesus proclaimed that John was greater than anyone else ever born. Jesus saw the greatness in John, for John proclaimed the truth of God boldly and yet he didn't let his success take his eyes off of his Savior. Although God did not perform extraordinary miracles through John, God still considered him greater than any other prophet, priest, or teacher. What an incredible tribute by our LORD!