The Least

 DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

THE LEAST

 

Luke 7:24-28

24 After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:

"'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'  

28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." 

NIV

Jesus reaffirms the special calling on John’s life, the one who was prophesied by Malachi to be the messenger ahead of Jesus the would prepare the way before Jesus. There is no question that John the Baptist was called by God for something extraordinary. What is troubling in this witness of Jesus concerning John he said that among those born of woman, there is not one greater than John. The first problem we see is that Jesus was born of a woman, although John was conceived through the human process, while Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. However, if there is no human greater the John why then is the person who is the least in the kingdom of God greater than John? We wonder as to who might be the least in the kingdom of God? Is it just one person who can qualify to be the least in the kingdom of God? On the other hand, could it be all who seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness? If we are one of those who actually humbly seek the kingdom of God first, or above all else, it would be wrong to claim that we are greater than John the Baptist.  That would not fit the character of being humbly seeking the kingdom of God first. A person who is the least in the kingdom of God must see his total dependence on Jesus Christ. Pride cannot exist in the one who is least in the kingdom of God. If we were to make a list of all the people who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, or all believers, do they all qualify as the least, or is being the least mean putting all others before self? It is interesting the Greek word Jesus used for least, is Mikros, which of course we can see in the English word micro, meaning small, little. Can we say with all humility that we are nothing without Jesus? Can we say that all we are, all we do, all we have is completely through the provision of God? We can say that we are amazed at how God has lifted us up out of the muddy pit we used to live in and has put his Spirit within us, to guide us into all truth. We don’t understand how God could use us, because we have nothing, not one qualification, not a single ability within ourselves, in fact, we see ourselves as useless in some sense, with nothing to give in this life, the least of the least, of little consequence in the grand scheme of things. Yet, because we seek God, looking for his divine plan for us, wanting nothing less than to be a benefit to God’s kingdom, we still cannot understand how we could be greater than John, even if we are the least.