3134.— Greater than John the Baptist
In Matt. 11:11 it is stated that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist. As there can be no less than the least, how can John the Baptist, altho sent of God, be a member of that kingdom at all? If our querist will read the context and related scriptures, he will see that our Lord has reference to the work which John the Baptist predicted,—the coming and work of our Lord Himself, and the kingdom of grace, which was then greatly augmented by Christ's first advent. The least of those who lived under the wonderful instruction of Jesus and the fuller light and blessings of Christianity, was greater in point of privilege and opportunity than was John. This is all, seemingly, to which it refers. We are told, on the other hand, that there was no prophet greater than John. He had one great privilege, and that was, to be the immediate forerunner of Christ Himself. But that meant also that his own work and influence must dwindle away until it was utterly lost in the greater glory of Christ's work. In his character and in his mission he was great. In his opportunity and his privileges he was small, so that the least of those who listened to Christ and were blessed under His ministration was greater in this respect than was John.