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Humble Hero
The Savior’s gentle reproof was not lost on John. Understanding
more clearly now the nature of Christ’s mission, he yielded himself
to God for life or for death, whatever might best serve the interests
of the cause he loved.
The Savior’s heart went out in sympathy to the faithful witness
in Herod’s dungeon. He would not leave the people to conclude that
God had forsaken John or that his faith had failed in the day of trial.
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see?” He said. “A reed
shaken by the wind?”
Like tall reeds beside the Jordan, the rabbis who had stood as
critics of the Baptist’s mission were swayed this way and that by
the winds of popular opinion. Yet for fear of the people, they dared
not openly oppose his work. But God’s messenger was of no such
cowardly spirit. John had spoken with equal plainness to Pharisees,
Sadducees, King Herod and his court, princes and soldiers, publicans
and peasants. He was no trembling reed. In prison, he maintained
the same loyalty to God. In his faithfulness to principle, he was firm
as a rock.
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.
“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
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is moral worth that God values. Love and purity are the attributes