“Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” — Matthew 11:11
Destined to be No. 2, not born to be No. 1, John the Baptist was the setup man for a Savior. He was to blaze a trail, set the pace and make a way for someone else to walk through.
Have you ever known that you would be the one to create, position and place others, but that the work you put forth would not be for you and rather to create a solid foundation for someone else to stand on? I know what you’re thinking, but this is the story of my life. All too often, God has allowed me to start or build something, but never take it to the next level, never go all the way through. I often wondered why, until I ran into John the Baptist. Dripping with prophecy over his head, infused with the spirit and power of Elijah, filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, John’s purpose was to get people ready for the Lord, in part through baptism.
Did you catch that? He was born to make people ready for the Lord. I want that! I want to position people, to prepare their hearts, to help them be ready for a coming King. No more complaining about “could have,” “should have” and “might have,” I am in good company with Elizabeth’s son.
John is a great example for us by positioning God’s Son for greatness and becoming Heaven’s greatest usher. He ushered in God’s best to position us for success. Jesus said of John that “among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).
He was saying we who believe in Jesus would be greater than John. John was a setup man for a Savior. Lord, my decline must lead to Your incline.
— Fleceia Comeaux, NWSL’s Houston Dash co-chaplain
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