Matthew 11:11a (ESV)
Truly,
I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than
John the Baptist.
There is no one greater than John the Baptist? You mean the John the Baptist sitting in prison wondering if Jesus really is the Messiah? You mean the John the Baptist who is second-guessing himself and questioning whether he made a mistake when he said of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29)? That John the Baptist? Because he doesn’t look all that great to the crowds. He looks like a man who started a movement and then it all fell apart. He looks like a man who is doubting his own ministry. He looks like a man destined to die behind bars.
But isn’t that the point? God has a different measurement of greatness. When the world looks at David they see a man who coalesced Israel into a great nation only to become involved in immorality. Later his own grief over his son undermined his ability to make wise choices and lead effectively. Yet God called him a man after God’s own heart (1Sam 13:14). Over and over again throughout the scriptures God used and exalted faulty individuals. God has a different measurement of greatness.
That gives me hope. Greatness is not defined by the size of one’s congregation. Greatness is not defined by one’s resumé. Greatness is not defined by one’s popularity. God has a different measurement of greatness. When Samuel was looking over Jesse’s sons, wondering which one God had chosen as the next king (1Sam 16:1-6), God instructed him, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, . . . . For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1Sam 16:7). God is not looking for great individuals to do great things for him. He will accomplish his purpose through those with a good heart. We need to stop seeking greatness as the world defines greatness and learn to rest in the greatness of God. Therein lies true greatness.
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