“Be The Least To Become The Greatest In The Kingdom!”

“Be The Least To Become The Greatest In The Kingdom!”(Mt. 11:7-15).
The Hebrew Bible lists twelve minor prophets and the others, major prophets.
The above prophets have prophetic books, not only named after them, but penned by them.
That apart, there are earlier prophets like Moses, Eli, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, etc.
We recall that at the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop Moses and Elijah appeared to him. To underscore how great Elijah was, the LORD said, “I will send the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes”(Mal. 4:5).
Considering that all the prophets had the one mission of foretelling the coming of the Messiah, it was not strange that John the Baptist was seen by the majority as Elijah’s comeback for the great day of the LORD.
John the Baptist was indeed Elijah, not in the sense of a reincarnation, but in the sense of the one who was prophesied to pave the way for the Messiah.
From biblical narratives Elijah was a great prophet indeed. He went to heaven alive! Yet of John the Baptist – who was Elijah’s double – Jesus says, “among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist…”
But you know what? John the Baptist is greater nevertheless, but “he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
My friend, this is where you become greater than John the Baptist.
Who is least in the kingdom? Jesus explains that to become the greatest in the kingdom of heaven one must humble self like a little child(Mt. 18:4).
We become great in God’s sight when we sincerely and unpretentiously look away from self to revere our Lord and Master.
Now that we are here in Lent season can we be humble before the LORD, think less about self, extend a hand of actionable agape love to the God who is in the person near us and fix our hearts on the sacrifice Jesus made.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, in this season of Lent guide my steps and lead me on the path of self-denial. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.