The Difference of the Presence.

My pastor preached this Sunday from Luke 7. He pointed out something that I'd never noticed before.

I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!" (Luke 7:28, NLT)

As the New Living Translation puts it, Jesus said that John the Baptist was greater than anyone who had ever lived up to that time. Do you realize that those words mean that John was greater than Abraham, the Father of Faith?! Jesus was saying that John was greater than Moses the Lawgiver and Deliverer- greater than David the poet Warrior- greater than Elijah who called down fire from heaven - greater than Daniel, the rock of integrity.

Then Jesus said something even more amazing: the least person in the age of the Kingdom of God is greater even than John! That means you and me. How could He say that I am (we are) greater than all those great men of faith? How can we be greater than everyone mentioned in the Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11?

The difference is the presence of God. The presence of God no longer dwells in tabernacles or temples made by human hands. The presence is no longer limited to pillars of fire and cloud, no longer tied to an Ark or Mountain. In Jesus the curtain between heaven and earth has been made very thin. The temple veil has been rent asunder. The future age of the Kingdom is constantly breaking through into this present evil age. God dwells in the hearts of men and women by the Holy Spirit. We have been graciously given what all those men where waiting for: the presence of God through the indwelling Spirit of God.

I qualify to be the least person in the Kingdom. Lord, may your presence in my life make a difference and be known by others this week!