Muhammad Ali Meet John the Baptist

Muhammad Ali: "I am the greatest!" er...no, not so much Cassius...

"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" - Matt 11:11-12

John the Baptist did no miracles. Many of the Old Testament prophets, including a man John was compared to performed miracle after miracle. Daniel interpreted dreams for kings and he and his friends impacted an entire nation. Jeremiah and Isaiah were two of Israel's greatest prophetic voices. Jesus built his church through the twelve disciples. The exploits of these men are well documented in the Gospels and the Book of Acts. But Jesus made a profound declaration about John the Baptist who performed no miracles and wrote no books:

He is the greatest among all the prophets.

Why did Jesus make this pronouncement? John the Baptist did one very important thing - he fulfilled his purpose on earth in every way.

The disciples asked John the Baptist, "Are you the one we have been waiting for? John responded quickly, "No." Then he made a profound statement: "A man can receive only what God gives him" - John 3:27. His time on his knees, with the Father, had provided him with a complete understanding of his personal, "why am I here?"

Jesus proclaimed John the Baptist was the greatest because this John knew and fulfilled what his Heavenly Father had proposed for his meager life. of John the Baptist the angel Gabriel says, "And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" - Luke 1:17.

In God's economy the work of John the Baptist was absolutely necessary to prepare the way for Jesus.

And so you can imagine where this is leading can't you? Ok, no trick, here it is: Do you know why God made you? Are you fulfilling the destiny He has planned for you since the foundation of the earth?

Understanding your life purpose is key to receiving your inheritance. Paul said no matter what kind of work you do, if God has called you to do it, you will receive an inheritance for doing it. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" - Col 3:23-25.

So, with me, today, let us both make a pact to seek that which God wishes us to do...for His glory - it comes with an incredible blessing - a heavenly inheritance! I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~