In my reading from the Gospel according to St Luke today, I came across a saying of our Lord that I found difficult to understand.
In Luke 7:28, the Lord told his audience that, whilst John the Baptist was the greatest among all born into this world, the "least" in the kingdom of God is greater than John.
How can this be? Who is the "least" in the kingdom of God that our Lord was referring to?
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John,
yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Luke 7:28 New International Version
I found my answer in a verse two chapters later, in Luke 9:48.
In this verse, the Lord Iesus used an example of a little child to teach his disciples that the least among them (in the kingdom of God) is the greatest.
It is not surprising therefore, that such a person, the "least", will also be greater than a great person like John the Baptist.
Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me;
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
For he who is least among you all — he is the greatest.”
Luke 9:48 New International Version
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us endeavour to be among the least in the kingdom of God.
