To be a successful person what do you think you would need to have? Riches? Importance? Popularity? Success?
Are you surprised when I tell you that none of these things is necessary for successful, satisfying living?
How would you like this to be said about you? - "Among these born of woman there has not risen anyone greater." Jesus said these words. Do you know who He was talking about? I'm sure it's not the person you or I would have chosen, but God knows best; and it is His opinion that will count in the end! (Isaiah 55:8. Matthew 7:21-23.)
Let us find out who that person was; but we will also find out how you and I can have successful, satisfying living with and for God.
"Jesus and His disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where He spent some time with them, and baptised. Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim ... and people were constantly coming to be baptised." (verse 23.)
One day John's disciples said to John, "Rabbi, that Man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan - the One you testified about - well, He is baptising, and everyone is going to Him." (verse 26.)
Was John losing his popularity? To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given to him from Heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am NOT the Christ but am sent ahead of Him.'" (verses 27-28.) John then compared himself to the friend of a bridegroom. "The bride belongs to the bridegroom," he said. "The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens FOR HIM, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete." (verse 29.)
John's life's work was pointing people to Jesus. Remember him telling the crowds, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29.) Now that the crowds were going to Jesus John was satisfied that his life had been worthwhile. John's ambition in life was: "[Jesus] must become greater; I must become less." (verse 30.)
I wonder have you guessed whom Jesus said was the greatest "among those born of women"? - It was John the Baptist. (Matthew 11:11.) But, on that occasion Jesus went on to say, "Yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he."
It is a great privilege and honour to glorify God in this life by pointing people to the one and only SaViour, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:29-32.) But Jesus said there was something greater for all those when they come into the Kingdom of Heaven. There they will for ever praise and worship the Lamb of God whom they trusted in to save them and to bring them safely to God. (1st Peter 3:18. Revelation 5:9-14. & 7:9-17.)
Is YOUR hope and trust in Jesus, the Lamb of God, to forgive your sins and to keep you from evil? (John 1:29. & 1st John 3:7-8.) If it is then you are assured the very great privilege and honour of sharing with Him in the delights of the Kingdom of Heaven. (John 14:1-6. & 17:24-26.) In the meantime be busy pointing others to Jesus by your life and your words. Successful, satisfying living is found in loving, trusting and serving Jesus Christ as Lord!
Read of John the Baptist's wonderful ambition in John's Gospel chapter 3, verses 22-30.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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