True Greatness

Jesus confirms that He is Messiah, as John the Baptist’s disciples are leaving with the answer to their queries. Jesus then highlights different levels of greatness in this world – “the great”, “the greater” and “the greatest”!

The Great

Jesus dramatically introduces John in a manner similar the introduction to Superman.

“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s Superman!”

A “reed shaken by the wind? A man dressed in fine clothes? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.”

The reeds possibly alluded to, in Christ’s time, looked externally feeble but were strengthened by many roots.

To some he is captain caveman, to others a prophet; Jesus endows him with greater credentials than all the great men of the past.

The Greater

Why was he greater?

In addition to having the qualities of the greats that walked earlier, he had a personal encounter with Jesus.

He was:

• Better than Elijah
• Brand Ambassador and
• Blazing Trails.

Why does Christ say that John is “Elijah who is to come” which was prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6?

He was similar in attire, connections with the most influential, wilderness life, forceful messages, etc.

He was definitely not our stereotype brand ambassador, yet far more powerful.

As he was blazing trails, The “violence” experienced by the Kingdom of God in Matthew 11:12 can be explained via the Luke parallel – implying the kingdom of God is powerfully advancing.

Luke 16:16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.

What did John do differently to other religious leaders in his time and our time? What can we learn from this?

The Greatest

We see in Matthew 11:11b “yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

And in Matthew 11:15 “Whoever has ears, let them hear."

Why are subsequent followers of Jesus greater than John?

John had a physical encounter with Christ, ours is spiritual. Post Christ’s death, we have the privilege of being cleansed by His blood.

A believer washed and cleansed by the blood of Christ has an even higher status in God’s sight that even John the Baptist! Do we even realize our privileged position?

What practical steps can we take to achieve true greatness?