No Man Greater

Jesus continued, “What did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.” Rich clothing and the luxuries of this life are not what God’s servants may expect. The priests and rulers arrayed themselves in rich robes. They were more anxious to gain the admiration of others than to win the approval of God. They did not give their allegiance to God but to the kingdom of this world.HH 95.7

“But what did you go out to see?” asked Jesus. “A prophet? ... This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” Yet, said Jesus, “He who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” In the announcement to Zacharias before the birth of John, the angel had declared, “He will be great in the sight of the Lord.” Luke 1:15. In the estimation of Heaven, what constitutes greatness? Not what the world counts as greatness. It is moral worth that God values. Love and purity are the attributes He prizes most. John was great in the sight of the Lord when he refused to seek honor for himself but pointed everyone to Jesus as the Promised One. His unselfish joy in the ministry of Christ presents the highest kind of nobility ever revealed in humanity.HH 95.8