You’re the best! Who has heard these words from you lately? Who stepped in, anticipating a need, and received your exclamation of relief with a gracious smile? It’s a simple phrase, really. The words are free and you can’t utter them without smiling yourself for the sheer weight lifted from your shoulders. You are not alone. Someone sees you, and usually not just anyone, though it could be.
You weren’t expecting help. Your thoughts may have even been circling that black hole of pity, searching for someone to be angry with at the moment when out of nowhere, someone’s extended hand breaks into your bubble and you’re saved. Saved from entering the abyss. Free from the emotional load you were just juggling. The greatest thing that anyone has said or done for you today just happened and no other words are needed. You’re the best!
Jesus called his cousin, John, the greatest who ever lived. GOAT. Greatest of All Time. Then Jesus went on to say that even the least person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. How’s that possible?
“Were you looking for a prophet?
Yes, and he is more than a prophet.
John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.
Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.
For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time.”
Matthew 11:9-13 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.11.9-13.NLT
“John’s role in redemptive history makes him the one who announces the coming of the Sovereign, pointing him out, in fulfillment of a Malachi prophecy (Matt. 11:10). That is what makes John the Baptist the greatest man born of woman up to that point—greater than Abraham or David or Isaiah—for he actually announces Christ and points him out explicitly.
That is why the least in the kingdom, this side of the cross, is greater still (Matt. 11:11): you and I point out who the Messiah is with even more immediacy and explicitness. That is where our greatness lies.”
For The Love Of God: Day 182 • Devotional (The Gospel Coalition)
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/786/day/182?segment=0
The world has a vastly different definition for greatness. Always has. Much of the Bible, but especially the prophets, reads like modern day news rather than ancient history. Start in on Jeremiah and you may forget you’re not reading the morning newspaper. There’s a day honoring everything and everyone on the social media calendar. If you can’t be the best or the greatest in any existing category, just make a new one.
“About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,
“Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.
Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.”
Matthew 18:1-5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.18.1-5.NLT
“But Jesus called them together and said,
“You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.
But among you it will be different.
Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
Matthew 20:25-28 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.20.25-28.NLT
“There’s no first in line at the foot of the cross.”
(We Are Messengers-IMAGE OF GOD)
“Jesus sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said,
“Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.””
Mark 9:35 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.9.35.NLT
““So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.””
Matthew 20:16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.20.16.NLT
Who’s the best person you know? Who’s the greatest person in your life? How does what you know now change your answer? The ones pointing you to Jesus with immediacy and explicitness- Jesus says they’re greater than the greatest.
“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2:32)
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?
And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?
And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?
That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
Romans 10:13-17 NLT
A Fitting Reply 
A beautiful message, LeAnn.
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