"And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
In this lesson, Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the greatest of all the prophets. The one who the man God chose to lay the groundwork for the coming of the Messiah.
It was obvious by what Jesus said, "What went ye out into the wilderness to see?", that the Jews had expected that the man who would announce the arrival of the Lord would be someone of high esteem, someone from among their own priesthood, instead, John came from out of the desert with nothing, a common man wearing camel skin, gaining sustainance from only the things God had granted him in the desert.
There is a great lesson herein for today's Christian people. These few verses warns us that God has no respect for pomp and ritual, and does not expect His children to practice it. God chooses His workers from among the common people, not from among those who are considered by others to be the elite.
It appeared that Jesus had disdain for those who held themselves out for high positions, and those who tried to bring acclaim upon themselves.
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15~
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