Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 7 verses 24 through 28:
24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 25What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”
28I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’
John was the greatest of all the prophets. His moral message was profound. His call for social and religious reform was necessary. His own personal and communal ethics were absolute. No one ever called John hypocritical.
And yet, Jesus said, “even the least in the kingdom of God is greater” than John.
What was meant by so striking a statement?
Perhaps Jesus was recognizing that there is always a limit to moral reform — both personal and social. There is a point where moral perfection always falls short. There is a point where good works must be let go, and grace must be grabbed hold of.
The world John described — where everyone gave in as much as they had extra to all those who in as much had need, where privilege of blood or caste did not make one greater than another, where no strong wine would ever be the ruin of a house or a family — sounds very utopian and idyllic. The only thing is this: I’m not sure I would want to live there with John.
No one born of women was greater than John the Baptist. And yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And maybe this is because in John’s community everyone has to work and work and work to live up, while the least in the kingdom of God knows he or she could never, ever work enough.
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