"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." (Matt. 11:11)

John was truly a great man in many ways. He was a child of promise born to godly parents. He prepared the way for the Lord and bore witness of Jesus as the Christ. His preaching was plain and powerful, and many people went out to be baptized by him. He died a martyr.

Nevertheless, as Jesus said, "He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." This shows the greatness of the kingdom and the value of the blessings therein. Those who make up the kingdom have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Col. 1:13-14 says, "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

How about you? Have you been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom? If not, why not obey the gospel today?