“For I say unto you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (vs28).
If we're in the kingdom, then we have privileges that saints of old didn't have. We see the Lamb exalted, we know the freedom of redemption accomplished, and we see the fulfillment of God in Christ. We are not hoping to see Him, but we KNOW who He is. Therefore, the least believer who knows Christ is GREATER than the greatest believer who is looking for Him to come.
First, the Lord Jesus has privileged us immensely. We are greater than John the Baptist. Of all the nations and peoples, we have eternal life graced to us freely. We know HOW God saves sinners by His Son's blood, and we've seen the Lamb exalted in accomplishing redemption. John's word to us hasn't been vain, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). We know the Holy Spirit is ours by faith in Christ, and we know the character of God in the Son. We know who He is clearer and better than all the saints of old, because we see Him, the fulfillment of scripture. Peter said of the old prophets, “To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things which angles desire to look into” (1 Pet 1:12). We may not have great faith, but we'd do the teaching, if David and Moses came to see us. We know what they couldn't know, and they'd sit in amazement, hearing of Him. Our privilege in knowing Christ is great.
Secondly, this is fruitful knowledge. We're “in the kingdom”. This makes you surely follow the Lamb and obey Him. You have seen the Pearl of Great Price and sold everything to get back everything. It reads, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, when and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matt 13:44-45). You see Christ's value, and you willingly obey Him. You're in the kingdom and you know Him as King, so you render to Him the honor of His name. His word is your rule, His honor is your ambition, and His kingdom is your desire, not your own. These are the words of those who've seen salvation in God, who know that we can't have everything that we want, but we can have His satisfying and saving will. We say, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10). We are of another kingdom that exists right now, but this kingdom isn't fully seen. It is within you (Luke 17:21).
Thirdly, if we are privileged to know the Mystery and fellowship with God, then we have something to give. We're greater than John. We are amazing people, enlightened by the Spirit, and given knowledge of mysteries the world needs but can't understand, “which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets... to me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”, so that God reveals the mystery, so we can save others (Eph 3:5-8). They need teaching, and we have the Spirit to help us. The One who revealed Christ to us now helps us reveal Christ to men. We are not orphans or left to ourselves.
Finally, are you in the kingdom of God? If so, you are great. If not, then you're rebelling.
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