Kingdom Greatness

When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,  “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 
Luke 7:24-28

After telling us that John the Baptist is the greatest human being to have ever lived, Jesus ends with this mysterious sentence: “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” What in the world does that mean?

There was another man who wasn’t a reed shaken by the wind. Throughout His ministry, He drew large crowds but many walked away from Him because He preached a kingdom that was not of this world (John 6:66).

There was another man who wasn’t found in kings’ courts. He was born in a dirty stable (Luke 2:7) and He tells us that throughout His ministry He didn’t have anywhere to lay His head (Luke 9:58).

There was another man who was obedient to the point of death. But this man died on a cross, which was the most shameful death.

Though he was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 
Philippians 2:6-8

John the Baptist, a mere man, was happy to be a nobody (John 3:27-30).

“Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Jesus, who is God Almighty, emptied himself and became nothing.

There is one who went lower than John. By going to the cross for your sins and for mine, Jesus was rejected not just by men but also by God. John was rejected by men but not by God. Jesus became the least because He was rejected by men and by God.  That’s what makes Him greater than John.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.
Philippians 2:9