“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
That line by Jesus is truly amazing. Jesus acknowledged that John the Baptist is one of the greatest men who ever lived, and it’s easy to see why; he gave up everything he had, whether that be family or possessions, to enter the Judean desert to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. As a man, he knew that he was called to do great things, to sacrifice comforts and pleasures for something greater. Just like the prophets who came before him, he preached the truth God wanted His people to hear, whether they liked it or not. This ultimately resulted in his death because of chastising King Herod for marrying his brother’s wife. Great men do not give up fighting for the truth, no matter what circumstances come their way.
“Yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he!” says Jesus. Although many men like John the Baptist did great things by the grace of God, Jesus Christ is the new man, the new Adam. Those who are baptized into Christ are incorporated into this New Adam as members of His Body, the Church. While John the Baptist gave up his life in preaching the truth of the coming of Christ and the truth of God’s Law, Jesus Christ gave up His Life for the salvation of all peoples. As Christians, we are called to “[fill up] what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church,” (cf. Colossians 1:24). In all aspects of life, as men and women, we are called to stand up for what is true and good and beautiful, but as Christians, we are called to pattern our lives on Christ so all may be saved through Him.
To do this, it is important to practice hospitality. I know in the Seminary, I may suddenly be asked to help out a guest on short notice. Our Lord brings all kinds of people in our lives when we least expect it, yet in every case, we must love them in such a way that they feel welcomed into Christ’s Body, the Church.
