What Jesus Did! 'None Greater ... except Christians!' — Luke 7:27-28

Sunday, April 30, 2023

[Jesus continued,] "John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.'

I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!"

— Luke 7:27-28 NLT

Key Thought

John was incredible! The voice of God through the prophets had not been heard for hundreds of years in Israel. When John the Baptizer came on the scene, people flocked to hear him. [1] They recognized in the clarity of his words something that could come only from God. [2] He lived his life and used his ministry to serve Jesus and open the hearts of people for the coming of the Christ. John spoke the truth regardless of who listened or who cared. This integrity and godly character were what got John in trouble with Herod [3]. As great as John was, Jesus says that those in God's Kingdom are greater still - not because of what those in the Kingdom have done or will do, but because of the grace of God given through Jesus' atoning sacrifice and because of their adoption into the family of God.

[1] Matthew 3:5.
[2] Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:22; Luke 3:10.
[3] Luke 3:19-20.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for the incredible example of John the Baptizer. Use me to be a servant for the message of Jesus. Help me to have the integrity of John as I try to speak your truth. Give me the courage to do your will, even under threat and opposition. Thank you for adopting me as your child and making me a part of your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Rejected God's Plan
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus continued,] "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than..."
The One?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Doubt! Even the best people have periods of doubt. My cousin John the Baptist was in prison awaiting certain death at the hands of..."
Dealing with Stress at Thanksgiving, with Thanksgiving
Article by Muriel Larson
Will you believe that giving thanks is an effective stress reduction strategy even during the stress of Thanksgiving during a pandemic? Muriel Larson, an experienced online coach and counselor, shares this clear strategy to help us deal with the stress and pressure of the holidays found throughout the Scriptures: Give thanks!
Love Is Not a Brick
Article by Rubel Shelly
Who would go first among the religions in showing honor to the other? Rubel Shelly talks about world religions, love, respect, honor, and violence.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 7:27-28 NLT — 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 30, 2023

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'To Save Some!' (Acts 28:21-23)
"[Paul met with Jewish leaders in Rome. He explained why he was under arrest: He had brought an offering to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem from..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Faithful Servants Pave the Way'
"Dear Servant of the Lord, If you take the time to look at the grand story of grace in the Bible, you will notice servants of the Lord playing..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Jesus Suffered so We Could Go Home with Him'
"So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp,....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!