(Maximus Christianus;48567)
John the baptist was a representative of the preaching of the law and the old testament. Jesus said very clearly among those born of women and among those called to be prophets John is as good as it gets. John is the height of manhood and prophetic calling within the old covenant. But those who are least, not nearly as manly and prophetic as John in his calling is greater than he is. Why? Because under the new covenant you have direct access to the throne of grace through a mediator called "Christ". Under this covenant your righteousness is imputed and you are justified before God as clean and pure without any adherance to laws or Nazarite vows such as John had. We are greater than John because of benefits of the new covenant, we are greater because we have better promises, we shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover, we shall speak with new tongues, we shall proclaim the name of "Jesus" and demons shall leave. All this and much more do the least in the kingdom of heaven have at this very moment. We may not be great prophets but we proclaim more than shadow and sign, we proclaim the substance of our faith Jesus Christ who is God and man. We stand within the sacred holy of holies invited, accepted and openly answered as though we were great high priests ourselves. This is greater than John the baptist had or did. Jesus is not trying to set our eyes upon one mans flesh being greater than another mans flesh. Jesus wants us to see that such a comparison is not what he is after. John is a GREAT PROPHET and a great man born of women. But what comparison shall we make? The comparison of what Jesus has done for us in this covenant, making us greater upon the earth to effect righteousness and change in the hearts of the people. We not only preach but we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit who has sealed us as a guarantee that God will redeem our bodies as well, resurrecting us at the last day. Promises and power like this John did not have at his disposal. But the time came and now John the baptist understands the great benefits of Jesus sacrifice and what it means to be a living part of Gods living body. Max
I agree! John did not recieve the indwelling Holy Spirit ,just like the O.T prophets. The Kingdom came through Jesus by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. John did not walk in the Spiritual Kingdom here on earth because he died before Jesus completed his work on the cross and sent his Holy Spirit.