Jesus said to the crowds: “men, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matt 11:11-12
God is good, all the time.
Friends: Jesus’ testimony to exalt John’s paramount importance as his fore runner, saying that “among those born of women, there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he" was also his way of expressing the exalted position of Christians.
Our regeneration by baptism, according to him, counts more than our natural or biological birth. Consider Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, John, and other prophets of Judaism; Mohamed, Buddha, Confucius, and other religious leaders, whose birth followed the natural birth arrangements, baptized Christians are more significant than any of these, says Jesus. Christians share one body, one Spirit, one hope, oneLord,onefaith,onebaptism;one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all( Cf. Eph 4:4-6). This is God’s commonwealth, people of every nation, color, and tongue.
That said, the exalted position of Christians also imposes on us two sets of responsibilities. According to Jesus, from John's time till now, God's kingdom suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. That means the kingdom of God is taken for granted by those who cherish; they take it seriously and seek to maintain it.
The first task is to defend our position from being attacked by ideological, philosophical, political, and other opposing elements to the kingdom and weak personal habits and tendencies that can discourage us.
The second task is to understand that how we treat members of the kingdom matters. What we think of, do, or say to other people, particularly Christians, should reflect the exalted position they share with us. We can't fail to value and honor, as Christians, what God loves and exalts
Prayer blessings: Father, we stand in your presence to thank you for our special calling and exalted position in your sight. We have received so much from you because of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pull us towards him always to stand in your presence with him. Amen.