Phenomenal Cosmic Powers

Aladdin finds a lamp in a cave. To his surprise, it contains a powerful genie. Soon, he learns that the genie has phenomenal cosmic powers, but he is a prisoner and must squeeze into an itty-bitty space, the lamp.

“Sending John’s messengers, Jesus began to ask the crowd about John: ‘What did you go to see in the wilderness – a reed swaying by the wind? What did you go to see – a man wearing soft clothes? See, those who wear flashy and expensive clothing live in palaces. What did you go to see – a prophet? Yes, I say to you, someone greater than the prophet. It’s about him, it is written: “Behold I send my messenger before me, who will straighten the path before me.” I say to you: no one born of a woman is greater than John.’” (Luke 7:24–28a)

The Lord Jesus used a common literary method of asking rhetorical questions. He knew the people went to see him not because he was nobody (like a reed) or someone flashy (like a prince). Instead, they went to see him because they understood him as a prophet. Jesus affirmed that he was a prophet, the greatest of all the prophets, as he prepared the way for the Lord to visit his people. He was the forerunner – someone who went before and introduced the king. As such, he was more significant than every person that had ever been born of a woman.

This was a powerful affirmation of John’s importance. The Hebrews had known several significant people in their lives: Abraham, their forefather; Moses, the friend of God; David, a man after God’s own heart; and Elijah, one of the greatest prophets. Yet, John was greater than all of them because his ministry was more significant. The people knew and went to be baptized by him.

But then the Lord said,

“Even the smallest in God’s rule is greater than John.” (Luke 7:28b)

This statement made several scholars assume that somehow John would miss God’s rule, and that’s why those who were in God’s rule were greater than John. Phenomenal cosmic powers . . . in itty-bitty space! Perhaps that’s true.

Another way to understand this passage is to see the parallelism.

Those who wear flashy and expensive clothing live in palaces (vasileios).

In God’s rule (vasileia), the least is greater than John.

In this world, a person’s worth is shown by one’s power, wealth, and prestige. They wear flashy and expensive clothing and live in palaces. In God’s rule, a person’s worth is determined by one’s humility, simplicity, and humbleness. Such a person is like John, who lived in the wilderness, ate locus and honey, and wore unfancy clothes. Jesus was challenging people to live a simple life, like John, and as kingdom people.

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 57:15, "The high and mighty God says this: I live in an exalted and holy place. At the same time, I live with people of contrite and lowly spirits." God, who lives in the mightiest of glories, loves to live with people of lowly and humble spirit. To be greatest in his rule, we humble ourselves.