The holier the Christian the lower their rank

 Matthew 11:11

 11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

The statement may seem counter-intuitive, but really underpins just how important humility is to a walk of faith.

Matthew 11:11 can be interpreted in a couple of ways, but here is another.

John the Baptist was set up to play a specific role around the time of Jesus, one in particular being the Baptism of Jesus. Here was a man humbling himself before God’s will and allowing God to work through him as much as possible. As such, there was no other among those born of women who was a greater prophet.

Think about our walk with God and where the glory is supposed to go when good is worked according to God’s will. Of course, the glory goes to God. The idea is that falling in line with God’s will is not something of ourselves as much as it is of God, so that’s where the credit goes. As we allow God’s love to grow more in our hearts and actions, the more our will and imperfection is pushed out of the equation, and it is replaced by something greater.

However, the more that one gives the glory solely to God for the good, the greater the emphasis is on our responsibility for the bad. The higher one goes, and the more that God fills their spirit, the less excuse one has for ’sin’. That one ’sins’ at all given such a holy relationship magnifies the ’sin.’ Even the smallest of ’sins’ is weighty in relative degree if one flaunts an intimacy with God. If these sins are passed off as small in comparison to others at all this would show a lack of care towards the sin one has in their life.

Couple these ideas with the parables of the prodigal son, the lost sheep, and the vineyard workers. Note the value placed upon those who turn to virtue later than others. Those who are more closely tied to the flock have their reward for the security therein. The relative rank spiritually is ‘lower’ in terms of the effort put forth on their behalf. Being closer to the flock or already in the father’s service shouldn’t require so much effort anyone if one is living by God’s will anyway. 

To see yourself in this way and still enthusiastically turn yourself towards God’s will is a great act of humility. Taking security close to the flock and letting God’s will replace your own should be reward in and of itself. While it dampens any claim to rank and amplifies the sin we still do not work beyond, you still have the joy of witnessing.

Look at John the Baptist, it surely took nothing away from the joy in his spirit to be considered the least in heaven. Perhaps it behooves more Christians to work harder in order to be considered one of the least in heaven too.

If we are looking to serve God’s will, give the glory to God, and remove ourselves from pride, surely this is the goal?