The Greatest Man

The Greatest Man

I assure you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. –Matthew 11:11

What would it be like to have Jesus say that you are the greatest person ever born? That’s how Jesus described John the Baptist, affirming that who he was and the work he had done in preparing people for the coming of the Messiah was significant because of his anointing by the Holy Spirit from the womb.

And yet when Jesus says this, John the Baptist is languishing in prison as a result of his prophetic ministry and bold calls for repentance. As he sat in prison, doubts began to set in. The truth is, Jesus had not delivered what John expected. He anticipated that Jesus would fulfill all the Old Testament prophecies at that time, little realizing that while Jesus had come the first time as the suffering Messiah, he would come again as the conquering Messiah and complete the fulfillment of the prophecies. Does it help you to know that even the person Jesus described as “the greatest man” had to deal with doubt about who Jesus is and what he is doing in the world? It helps me.

At the same time, John the Baptist’s story is troubling to me, because I know how his story ends. John was beheaded in prison. You see, I want to think that if God himself says you are a “great” man or woman, surely you will not have to suffer, that he will bless you with a comfortable life. I want to think that if I strive to live a life that pleases God, then he will spare me from the intense losses of life. But the life and death of John the Baptist show us that goodness and godliness don’t guarantee that we won’t have to suffer.

If Jesus, who loved John the Baptist dearly and honored him above all others, would allow him to suffer in prison and then be beheaded, why do we think that if Jesus loves us, he won’t allow us or someone we love to suffer or even die an early and unjustified death? Will you bring your doubts and disappointments to Jesus and ask him to reveal himself to you?

Jesus, I often find myself in a prison of doubt and disappointment because I’ve believed the lie that if you love me, you will make my life easy and pain-free. Like John, I bring my questions and doubts to you, and I find comfort in knowing that you are God and I can trust you with my life and death.

DIGGING DEEPER