More Than a Prophet

Introductory questions to chew

What should I do with my own doubts regarding spiritual matters?

How highly do I value the witness of another?

If I show another what I see and hear, would it be helpful to him?

Offended in Jesus? Me? Why? When?

What motivates me to go hear the visiting preacher?

How well does my heart use my ears?

John and I

The Forerunner was in prison. Before too long, the sword would sever his head from his body, his spirit from his flesh. His rendezvous with his Sender was coming soon. And even this great More-Than-A-Prophet, this Breaker-of-Divine-Silence needed to make sure he had it all straight. I am impressed with the scope of John's maturity. He could have easily rested on his message, convictions and accomplishments. Instead he maintains his teachability right up to the end: "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3).

We have a rich, enviable godly heritage. Most of us have grown up with a thorough exposure to solid truth and have accepted it for ourselves. But may this not dull us to our need for further growth in Truth! We have not yet arrived; we still have room for growth. May we not waver in our convictions...and may our convictions expand and mature! I covet (for you and myself) John's solid open-mindedness to further enlightenment from the Master.

I hold John high, don't I. Jesus held him higher. Then Jesus tried to hold you and me higher!

"Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11).

Least is an attitude about ourselves. Paul had this proper view of himself when he said, "I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle" (1 Corinthians 15:9). In Ephesians 3:8 he expresses this attitude when he referred to himself as "less than the least of all saints." It isn't that Paul thought he was a no-good nobody. He simply was putting himself in the position of a lowly servant.

This least attitude is quite livable. A least person is "servant of all" (Mark 9:35). A living least looks "also on the things of others" (Philippians 2:4). When you are least you are at liberty to serve others by love (Galatians 5:13).