| “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). |
| Our verse today is somewhat connected with what we said yesterday. John the Baptist was a relatively young man when he was called to serve the Lord, and he probably began when he was only in his twenties. He also lived a very simple life, for the Bible records that he wore clothes made out of camels’ hair, and ate a diet of locusts (big grasshoppers) and wild honey. Clothes made out of camels’ hair did not likely feel that comfortable next to his skin, and to eat locusts … well, most of you would probably say, “Yuck!” Also, he lived out in desert areas; he did not live in a nice house. |
| However, there was something very important about John the Baptist, and for this reason the Lord says that no other prophet was greater than he was. Why was this? It was because John was in the place where the Lord placed him, and did exactly what the Lord told him to do. It is not how much we do that counts, but rather whether we do the Lord’s will, in the place where He wants us. |
| There had been many great prophets and great men in the Old Testament. Some of them had lived long lives, such as Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, to name a few. But John the Baptist lived a relatively short life, for he was beheaded as a young man, not likely more than thirty-one years of age. Yet the Lord gives him the highest honor He could give, because He did what He was asked to do. His work for the Lord was finished when he was quite young. |
| This is important for us to learn. It is not how long a life we live, or how much we do for the Lord. What is important is to be where He places us, and to do what He gives us to do. There is one more reason why the Lord commended John the Baptist so highly, but we will leave that for tomorrow. |
