And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
- John 12:45 (NKJV)

Growing in God’s prophetic purpose for your life is an incredible journey. He desires to bring you and me into so many depths of revelation concerning His heart and purpose, that I believe we have only just scratched the surface. In John 5:35, Jesus spoke concerning the ministry of John the Baptist and its impact. He said that John was a burning and shining lamp—one who fulfilled his call with spiritual fervency, allowing nothing to get in the way. He bore witness to the Light ( John 1:6-8), released revival in the wilderness (Mark 1:4-5), and was feared by kings (Mark 6:20). John embodied the message that he was sent to deliver to such a degree, that those who heard it thought he was the ‘Sender’ himself (Luke 3:15). Following His remarks concerning John, Jesus goes on to make an interesting statement concerning those who preside in the Kingdom. In Matthew 11:11-12, He says that even the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he (he being John). Friends, this is not just a compliment given to every believer who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, neither is it just an automatic designa- tion as some may think. Rather, it is a measuring rod that should be used to evaluate our spiritual fervency and devotion. It not only paints for us a picture of God’s expectation for everyone born in the Kingdom, but it indicates that there is grace given to meet and surpass that fervent standard set by John. Let’s look at that scripture in Matthew a bit closer.

Matthew 11:11-12 says:
11 Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist, but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

The context of Christ’s words here do not indicate that the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence namely from its enemies, but that the kingdom of heaven is entered into by force. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament interprets this text as meaning that a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for with the most ardent zeal and intense exertion. He who possesses a share possesses the profits provided by that very same kingdom. These are benefits that overtake the initial and continuing invest- ments made within that kingdom by a person. What does this mean for us? It means that to receive the full benefits of the Kingdom of God we have to be spiritually fervent and press in for our share. God has done His part and given us access as joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), but we have to do ours in the grace provided in order to experience the fullness of the glorious riches that reside in Christ, and all He purchased for us to be partakers of (Ephesians 1:18). He wants His glory to effervesce mightily from our lives, but we can’t take His enabling grace in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1). May desire rise in our hearts for more! Clearly, John was a fervent vessel. He provided a good example of that spiritual violence, as Jesus could refer to John as one who had indeed pressed in and the greatest amongst those that had come before Him.

But now Jesus looks to us and says, “This is what a believer in my kingdom looks like, and furthermore, I want you to understand that John’s example is minimum wage! Believers coming afterwards will be far more fiery than him.”