John the Baptist humbly said, “He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals” (Matt. 3:11). It was because of such self-effacing and genuine humility that Jesus declared, “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matt. 11:11). Peter’s first hint of greatness was expressed in his saying to Jesus, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 5:8). And at the end of his life,
Volume 3, Page 232