The Least in the Kingdom of Heaven
“Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: Not withstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than He”. Matthew 11:11
Since John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, Christ’s statement here no doubt reveals that he was the greatest of all patriarchs and prophets in that dispensation. Yet, the same John, under the new covenant is considered to be less than the least member in this new dispensation. What a paradox?
Did Christ mean that John the Baptist was greater than Elijah who was translated alive to Heaven, 2 Kings 2:11 Moses who was the meekest of all men Numbers 12:3 ,David who was a man after God’s own heart, and Abraham who was the father of the faithful and so forth.
Yes. Then how come he is not greater than all including the new covenant believers according to Christ? The answer is simple and yet profound. Under the old covenant none including John the Baptist could be born again and receive a new spirit without the death and the resurrection of Christ.
Though John accomplished the greatest mission ever given to a mortal: “to prepare the way of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5), He was born under the law and subject to obey and to do all that the law prescribes if he would be saved. And though he ushered in the new covenant when he coined the term “the Kingdom of God is at hand” Matthew 3: 2 ,which became the dominant theme of Christ’s ministry, but this Kingdom wasn’t ratified till after the death and the resurrection of Christ.
After all, this new covenant was long anticipated by all the patriarchs because it contains better promises. Hebrew 8:6-7. They looked forward to the time when God does not impute sin unto man. Psalm 32:2. This is all fulfilled in Christ. While no Old Testament person had power over the devil, the weakest born again individual under the new has all power and authority over the devil. Luke 10:19.
In addition, he is commanded to do the same work Christ did: heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils, and raise the dead. John 14:12, Matthew 10:5-8. That’s why when the Pharisees inquired of Jesus as to the time of the Kingdom of God, He told them that the Kingdom of God does not come with observation, but instead this Kingdom is within the born again believer. Luke 17:20-21.Furthermore, the same born again believer has the Godhead living in him. John 14:16, 23, 26. He is also one with God. 1Corithians 6:17. He further has all the attributes of God. Galatians 5:22. Sad to say, religion has relegated all these wonderful attributes and characteristics of the born again / spirit filled believer to the future after life, causing the church to be virtually non-existent today.
If you are a new creature 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, you are a member of the Kingdom of Heaven. You are greater than John the Baptist, Moses, Elijah and Abraham because in your spirit you have all blessings; you can do all things. Philippians 4:13. As Christ is so are you in this world. 1 John 4:17.
Believe and live this today and be a blessing to the world around you.
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