How would you like to be known as “The G.O.A.T.”?  That title, “The Greatest Of All Time”, is often debated by people who have credentials which may, or may not, give them authority to speak with any credibility on the subject.  For example, sports writers and reporters who have never taken a snap, or tried to throw a pass under pressure, debate who is the GOAT quarterback.  These same people, who may have never broken 80, or had to sink a 6-foot putt to win their club championship, debate who is the GOAT golfer.

But listen to what a man had to say about the GOAT person to have ever walked this earth: “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John The Baptist.” – Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:11a (New Living Trans.).   Jesus has the perfect credentials to speak with absolute authority on the GOAT.  There’s no debate on this.  How can anyone debate against Jesus?

 John The Baptist would have been completely justified in feeling a bit proud.  He would have even been completely justified had he wanted to do a little bragging about his accomplishments.  Instead, John looked at Jesus and said, “I’m not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” Mark 1:7; and “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30. 

 If the one who really was the GOAT could avoid the trap of pride and arrogance, maybe we can too.  Let’s love each other fully [1 Corinthians 13], let’s delight in honoring one another [Romans 12:10], and let’s work on ways to demonstrate that we really do belong to each other [Romans 12:5].  When that happens, people will be able to tell that we really are disciples of Jesus [John 13:35].  And then, we will have a church that we can brag about! – JUST KIDDING!         

~Shepherd Ambrose Ramsey