Jesus, in His profound wisdom, declared, “John is greater than anyone who has ever lived” (Luke 7:28, TEV). This pronouncement might spark curiosity and contemplation, for how could John the Baptist be greater than illustrious figures like Daniel? The key lies not in a comparison of actions but in their respective realms—John in ministry and Daniel in civil government.
Yet, Jesus, without hesitation, elevates John, stating, “But the one who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John” (Luke 7:28, TEV).
In the context of Christ’s yet-to-be-fulfilled sacrifice, John lacked the reborn spirit and the union with Christ’s body. Unlike us today, he wasn’t raised together with Christ or made to sit in heavenly places. This distinctiveness is why the least in the kingdom surpasses even the greatness of John. If you find yourself among the two billion Christians since Jesus’ resurrection, you stand as a testament to this surpassing greatness, greater than both John and Daniel.
Distinguishing Yourself: A Call to Excellence
A Divine Challenge
Are you distinguishing yourself in the way Jesus envisioned? He sets a high standard, urging believers to be ten times smarter, better, wiser, and more virtuous than those who are not in covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
This challenge extends beyond professional competence to embody patience, love, discipline, kindness, hospitality, compassion, and generosity. The question looms—why aren’t the vast majority of born-again believers ten times more proficient than the world?
The key lies in understanding grace as God’s empowerment, enabling us to transcend our natural abilities and rule in life. While we bear the burdens of the weak in the church, it is not the divine intent for them to remain weak indefinitely. The vision for believers, even the least in the kingdom, is to distinguish themselves in their respective spheres of influence.
Illuminating the Darkness
Jesus proclaims believers as “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). This metaphor permeates the New Testament, emphasizing the role of Christians as beacons in a dark world (Matthew 5:14–16; Luke 12:3; John 8:12; Acts 13:47; Romans 13:12; Ephesians 5:8, 14; Colossians 1:12; Philippians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; 1 John 1:7; 2:9–10). The concept of being light transcends a mere surface-level nicety—it is a central theme in the life of a believer.
This symbolism of light is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus and can be traced back to the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. In the Old Testament, God is often depicted as the source of light, bringing illumination and guidance to His people (Psalm 27:1; Psalm 36:9; Isaiah 60:19). It is through this divine light that believers are called to shine in the world.
Just as light dispels darkness, the presence of believers in the world is meant to illuminate the truth and righteousness of God. They are called to live in such a way that their actions and words reflect the light of Christ. This is not a call to a life of isolation, but rather a call to engagement with the world, where darkness and confusion often prevail.
The Light in Action: Daniel’s Example
A Different Kind of Brilliance
Contemplating what it means to be the light of the world, we must shift our perspective beyond superficial acts. Daniel, a luminary in Babylon’s government, didn’t merely comport himself with pleasantness and scripture-quoting. His brilliance extended far beyond religious rhetoric. Imagine if Daniel had approached his role by merely being amicable, quoting Psalms during meetings, and displaying a superficial veneer of spirituality.
However, Daniel’s distinction came from being ten times smarter and wiser than his contemporaries. His unparalleled knowledge, innovation, and creativity propelled him to leadership. This brilliance, coupled with a commitment to prayer, perplexed his colleagues to the extent that they sought to curtail his prayer life through legislation (Daniel 6:6–8). The envy and confusion among his peers only underscored Daniel’s extraordinary nature.
Excellence Attracts Attention
Daniel’s exceptional abilities weren’t confined to religious practices or vocalizing scriptures. His excellence in his field of work attracted attention. The leaders, despite their envy, couldn’t deny the evidence of the living God in Daniel’s capabilities.
This illustrates a crucial point—our distinction in the world shouldn’t be merely about knowledge of Scripture or outward religiosity. Instead, our competence and excellence in our respective domains should be the shining light that causes others to take notice and honor the God we serve.
In light of Daniel’s example, we grasp the essence of Jesus’ words: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Our ‘light’ isn’t a mere external display; it is the manifestation of our excellence in every facet of life, standing out and drawing others to acknowledge the presence of God.
Conclusion: A Call to Shine Brighter
As believers, we are called to a greatness that surpasses the distinctions of the past. The challenge is clear—to be the light that shines brilliantly, distinguishing ourselves not just in religious practices but in every area of life. We’re called to be ten times more proficient, not for self-glory, but to illuminate the darkness around us. Daniel’s story teaches us that excellence in our fields of work is a testimony that speaks louder than words.
In the book of Daniel, we are introduced to a young man who faced trials and tribulations in a foreign land. Daniel and his companions were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, but despite the hardships they faced, they chose to remain steadfast in their faith and dedication to God.
One aspect of their lives that truly stood out was their commitment to excellence in their work. They served in the king’s court, and even in this position of servitude, they did not settle for mediocrity. They sought to be the best at what they did, and their dedication did not go unnoticed.
Recommended Bible Study Verses
- Philippians 4:13 (KJV): “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
- Ephesians 2:10 (ASV): “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.”
- Colossians 3:23 (NASB): “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”
- Proverbs 22:29 (KJV): “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”
- 1 Peter 2:9 (ASV): “But ye are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
