As we conclude this week’s reflections on John the Baptist, we consider Jesus’ powerful declaration that while John was the greatest of those born under the Old Covenant, even the least in the New Covenant holds a unique position of greatness. We recognize that this transition represents a move from an external law to an internal presence—the mystery of “Christ in us, the hope of glory.” We understand that through the Holy Spirit, the real presence of Christ is not a distant hope but a current reality that dwells within each of us. Consequently, we are encouraged to view every aspect of our lives, from the mundane to the monumental, as sacred, knowing that Christ is really and fully present in every breath we take.

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It is a beautiful Friday morning! It’s such a joy to be with you as we continue our daily Advent reflections using our devotional guide here at St. Matthew’s.

We have nearly made it through the Advent season. This coming Sunday is the last Sunday of Advent, where we will focus on Love. Just a quick reminder for our schedule next week: we will have reflections on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I’ll likely have one for you on Christmas Day as well! I will then take a little break from Rooted between Christmas and New Year’s, likely returning on New Year’s Day to start the year off right together.

Today, we are finishing the second part of the story we began yesterday in Matthew 11. Yesterday, we discussed John the Baptist’s crisis of faith—how his circumstances in prison led him to ask if Jesus was truly the Messiah. Today, we see Jesus’ beautiful response and his description of who John really was.

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Let’s read Matthew 11, verses 7 through 11:

“As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then 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: “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has risen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.'”

The Last of the Old Guard

Jesus challenges the crowd to remember why they went to see John in the first place. They didn’t go to see someone weak or someone seeking comfort in “soft robes.” They went to see a man who didn’t pull any punches. As we discussed in worship recently, John’s opening sermon was, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?”John was the last of the great Old Testament-style prophets. He spoke the word on his heart directly to power, even shaking his fist at the King. Because of that boldness, he suffered the fate of many prophets before him—he was eventually beheaded by King Herod.

Jesus makes a staggering statement here: “Among those born of women, no one has risen greater than John the Baptist.” Think of the names that includes! Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, David—all these giants of the faith. Jesus places John above them all.

The New Covenant: Christ Within

But then Jesus adds a “yet.” He says the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John. Why? Because John was the last of the Old Covenant, while we are the first of the New Covenant.

In the Old Covenant, the law was often something external to be taught and followed. But the prophets, like Jeremiah and Isaiah, pointed to a day when God would write the law upon our hearts. Paul describes this mystery as “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

As great as John was, he stood on the doorstep. We get to walk through the door. For those of us in Christ, our faith isn’t just something external we long for; it is an internal reality given to us through the Holy Spirit. Christ doesn’t just stand beside us; through the Spirit, Christ dwells within us.

No Unsacred Moments

This means that as you go about your life today—whether you are reading Scripture, serving a neighbor, or even just doing your Christmas shopping or attending a party—Jesus Christ is really and fully present with you.

We often think of “sacred moments” as being only in church or during prayer. But if Christ is in us, then every moment is sacred. Every breath we take is a gift and an encounter with the Divine.

I try, as much as I can, to stop and breathe every few hours just to realize this truth: Christ is really and fully present with me right now. When we understand this, it changes how we see our tasks. There are no “unimportant” moments because the King of Heaven is walking through them with you.

That is the heart of Christmas: Immanuel, God with us.