John the Baptist was the key bridge from the Old Testament age to the Kingdom of Heaven. He stood with the prophets, but he was more than a prophet; he was the one prophesied to bring in the age of the Messiah and his Kingdom. He broke the long silence—of God's speaking to his people through the prophets—but the focus of his communication was not himself but the coming One. He called people to repentance, but to prepare them for what was coming. We are blessed to live in the time of the Kingdom. While some enjoy the luxuries and privileges of living in a time of relative prosperity and luxury, the physical luxuries dim in comparison to the glorious blessing of living in the Kingdom of Heaven while waiting for it to dawn in all of its fullness. John was great because he bridged the gap. But we are more blessed to live on this side of the bridge.