Nebuchadnezzar and John: The Greatest or the Least?

Second Sunday of Advent

December 8, 2013

Matthew 3:1-12; 11:11 & Daniel 4

Nebuchadnezzar and John:

The Greatest or the Least?

In the name of Jesus.

I.

For all the bad things that Nebuchadnezzar did to God's people, it's strange that the account of King Nebuchadnezzar going out of his mind isn't widely known.

We know about Nebuchadnezzar throwing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace, but we forget that the old evil king got his due here on earth. But the Lord didn't bring this justice on him for all his evil deeds; it was because of his pride.

The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30)

“That I have built.” “By my mighty power.” “My majesty.” And the Lord says, in effect, “Very well. Since you think you are source of your power, I'll leave you to it.”

That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. (Daniel 4:33)

But in the end Nebuchadnezzar repented and turned away from trusting in himself and by the work of the Holy Spirit trusted in the one true God. He stopped singing “We Are the Champions” in the royal We; he stopped singing about how awesome his Roar was and started singing a different tune.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. (Daniel 4:37)

II.

But evil old kings seldom get justice and they rarely repent. Old evil King Herod did great evil and he never expressed any regret or shame. His wickedness was most obvious when he had John the Baptist's head removed from his body (Matthew 14:10). Not a happy ending for John.

It seems strange to us—since we think we are good at fairness—that John's life has a bad ending and Nebuchadnezzer's ended well. One who had done so much good for the kingdom of God and the other so much harm. And even Jesus spoke explicitly about how important John was.

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11)

III.

So who is the greatest? A Nebuchadnezzar who trusted the Word of God and repented? Or a St. John who purposely worked himself out of job and out of life?

You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:28-30)

To Jesus neither of them are the least. He loves them both with great love through His enduring deeds of His cross and His altar.

Where do you fit in? You aren't the greatest or the least. You aren't an evil king or a good prophet. You're you. But where do you fit in?

You are the stones that John spoke about. You are the dead stones that have been raised up to be Abraham's new children, the living people of God, baptized into Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Because He has washed you clean in His blood, you will see more grandeur and glory than Nebuchadnezzar could ever have possibly imagined. But he will see it alongside you in heaven, too, because of the Lord's great love for the greatest and the least and everyone else, even you.

In the name of the Father

and of the † Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.