Luke 7:24-28

Luke 7:24-28 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Acts 4:11-12 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

This is a marvelous scripture, indicating clearly that even a person chosen by God to prepare the way for his Son is not greater than any soul who believes in Jesus Christ as savior. No other man, theology, philosophy, belief, can cause us to be in right relationship with God. Only Jesus Christ brought salvation to men. He alone brought eternal mercy and grace from God to humankind. He paid the ultimate price of unrequited love by dying for a sinful world. His death broke the bonds of sin and freed man from the judgment of God. He, who is eternal, now sits at the right hand of God, making intercession for us: excusing our weaknesses and sinfulness by applying his cleansing blood to them. No other man, theology, philosophy or belief can perform that duty; only Christ the eternal High Priest can do such a perfect work of saving grace.

Does John the Baptist need Jesus as his Savior? Yes, he also has to trust in Jesus Christ as his savior. There is no salvation in any other, not even in John the Baptist's righteous life. If John could stand in his own righteousness because of his many good works, he could trust that salvation has come to him through another gate: his own righteousness. However, following the law and righteous living does not open the kingdom of heaven to any man. John, among those born of women there is no one greater, was not in the kingdom until Jesus died, for even the last person, the least righteous in the kingdom, was greater than John. Anyone who tries to enter the kingdom of God through any other gate than believing in Jesus Christ is a thief and a robber. If anyone says there is another gate, he or she is trying to rob you from the Kingdom and deceive you with false teaching.

Well then, how does John enter the kingdom of God? He comes through Christ. He has to have a time when he can accept the works of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. This comes after his death. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the prophets, and all the faithful who existed before Jesus had to enter into the kingdom of heaven the same way: by accepting Jesus Christ righteousness for their sinful lives, by allowing the cleansing blood of Jesus to be applied to their lives. Their sacrifices of bulls and goats could not take away their sins. If the blood of bulls and goats could have taken away their sins, there would be another way to God. Another gate. Jesus says, John is not even as great as the least in the kingdom. He needed a Savior too. He needed an everlasting righteousness. Jesus provides that. His life, his sacrifice, provides for a complete cleansing.

We, who are IN JESUS CHRIST should rejoice, for salvation has come to us. We are known as a ''peculiar people," a "set apart" people. We are known as kingdom people. We are those who can enter the throne room of God boldly: we are his children. Consequently, we do not enter that throne room in our names, we enter that throne room with the names given to us in heaven, and I am sure the surname ends with Jesus Christ, for we are now part of his body, in his family. Praise the Lord! The price was paid, and our names are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life.