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Introducing John the Baptist
John the Baptist stands out in the Gospel of John as a powerful example of humility. His mission was simple but profound: to prepare people’s hearts for Jesus. When questioned by religious leaders, John didn’t claim greatness. He wasn’t the Messiah, Elijah, or a prophet—just a voice calling out in the wilderness, helping people get ready to meet the Lord.
A Respected and Bold Prophet
John’s ministry made a big impact. Crowds from across Judea came to hear him preach and be baptized. Even historians outside the Bible, like Josephus, recognized his moral influence. But John’s boldness also stirred up controversy—he didn’t shy away from criticizing sin, even among rulers. That boldness eventually cost him his life at the hand of Herod.
Extra-Biblical Support and John’s Following
Historical sources corroborate the Bible’s account of John the Baptist, countering claims that the Bible lacks historical reliability. At the height of his ministry, John may have had around 10,000-15,000 followers, as inferred from John 4:1, which states that Jesus later surpassed John in the number of disciples and baptisms. Given that Jesus eventually had about 20,000 followers, John’s ministry was significant.
John the Baptist and Elijah
The apostle John, the Gospel’s author, was originally a disciple of John the Baptist before following Jesus. John the Baptist bore a striking resemblance to the Old Testament prophet Elijah, both in lifestyle and mission. Elijah was known for his rugged appearance, desert dwelling, and outspokenness against Israel’s leadership. Similarly, Matthew 3:4 describes John wearing camel’s hair and a leather belt, eating locusts and honey, and calling for repentance. Some speculate that John the Baptist followed the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6), which included abstaining from alcohol, avoiding contact with the dead, and not cutting one’s hair.
John’s Lifestyle and Ministry of Baptism
John’s mother received an angelic message that he would be set apart for God’s purpose, reinforcing the idea that he may have taken a lifelong Nazarite vow. His message was urgent: repent. Unlike typical Jewish baptism, which was mostly for Gentile converts, John called all people—Jew and Gentile alike—to turn their hearts back to God.
John’s Confrontation with the Religious Leaders
John did not shy away from rebuking religious leaders, including the Pharisees and Sadducees. In Matthew 3:7-9, he calls them a "brood of vipers" and warns them not to rely on heritage or appearance but to show true repentance through their actions. Despite his influence, John never pointed to himself. He made it clear: someone far greater was coming.
John’s Baptism and the Coming Messiah
The Pharisees questioned John’s authority to baptize if he was not the Messiah or a prophet. He responded that his baptism was with water, but someone greater was coming—one so superior that John was unworthy even to untie his sandals. This statement underscored the immense difference in status between John and Jesus. The Gospel of Luke adds that the coming one would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, signifying both purification and judgment.
The Winnowing Fork Analogy
John used agricultural imagery to describe Jesus' coming judgment. In ancient farming, wheat and chaff were separated through a process where oxen trampled the grain, and a winnowing fork was used to toss the mixture into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the chaff while the heavier wheat fell to the ground. John’s message implied that Jesus would spiritually separate the righteous from the unrighteous, gathering the faithful while the wicked faced judgment.
John’s Prophecy of Jesus’ Role
Just as farmers use a winnowing fork to separate the wheat from the chaff, Jesus will baptize people either with the Holy Spirit or with fire, symbolizing salvation or judgment. Jesus has divine authority over people's eternal destinies.
The next day, John sees Jesus and proclaims, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" This declaration connects Jesus to the Passover lamb, an innocent sacrifice whose death symbolized atonement. John's statement is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, as Passover involved the slaughter of a spotless lamb to represent the covering of sin. While John may not have fully grasped the significance of his words at that moment, they prophetically pointed to Jesus’ sacrificial death.
The Core of Christianity
Contrary to common misconceptions, Christianity is not about being good, religious, or earning God's favor. Instead, it is about recognizing one's alienation from God due to sin and accepting His solution—Jesus’ sacrificial death. Because God is both just and loving, He does not ignore sin but provides a way for complete forgiveness through faith in Jesus. The moment someone places their trust in Christ, they enter into an eternal relationship with God.
John’s Recognition of Jesus’ Identity
John the Baptist acknowledges Jesus' superiority, stating that Jesus existed long before him, even though John was born first. Jesus divinely preexisted. John explains that his baptism was meant to reveal Jesus as the Messiah to Israel. Interestingly, John and Jesus were cousins, but they likely did not interact much due to living in different towns. John admits that he initially did not recognize Jesus as the chosen one until he saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Him like a dove.
This moment is confirmed by the Gospel of Matthew, which describes Jesus’ baptism: as He comes out of the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and God’s voice declares, "This is my Son, whom I love; with Him, I am well pleased." John must have heard this divine confirmation, solidifying Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. However, Jesus' baptism was not for the remission of sin, as Jesus was sinless. Instead, it marked the beginning of His public ministry.
John’s Disciples Begin Following Jesus
The next day, John the Baptist again proclaims Jesus as "the Lamb of God," leading two of his disciples to leave him and follow Jesus. John was willing to redirect his followers to Jesus rather than holding onto his own influence. Later in John 3, more context is provided: Jesus and His disciples begin baptizing people, and John's disciples express concern that Jesus' ministry is surpassing John's. They point out that people are flocking to Jesus instead of John, seemingly worried about the shift in influence.
John’s Humble Response to Jesus’ Growing Ministry
In response to his disciples’ concerns, John reaffirms his role: "I am not the Messiah, but I am here to prepare the way for Him." He uses the analogy of a friend of the bridegroom, a significant role in ancient weddings. This friend organized the wedding and ensured everything ran smoothly, taking joy in the groom’s success rather than drawing attention to himself. Similarly, John sees his joy as complete in fulfilling his purpose—preparing people for Jesus.
[Bridesmaid dress example]. However, John’s humility is not rooted in insecurity but in a clear understanding of his role. His famous statement, "He must become greater, and I must become less," encapsulates his attitude. He does not seek to elevate himself but to magnify Jesus.
The Definition of Humility
John the Baptist exemplifies true humility. True humility isn’t self-hate or low self-esteem. It’s knowing who you are in light of who God is. It’s recognizing that all we have—our abilities, success, and influence—are gifts from God. John’s life shows us that we don’t need to compete with others. When we trust God’s plan, we can genuinely celebrate the success of others.
Humility and Overcoming Jealousy
A truly humble person does not envy others' success. John exemplifies this by celebrating Jesus' rise rather than competing with Him. Theodore Roosevelt’s famous quote, "Comparison is the thief of joy," emphasizes how jealousy leads to dissatisfaction. People often feel discontent because they compare themselves to others—whether in career achievements, possessions, or influence. Instead of resenting others' success, John finds complete joy in fulfilling his role, demonstrating true contentment.
The Dangers of Comparison and Jealousy
Comparison often steals our joy. We’re content—until we see someone else doing better. But John didn’t play that game. He rejoiced when Jesus grew in influence. That kind of joy and contentment comes from knowing your role and embracing it with peace.
Humility and Self-Promotion
Humble people don’t need to constantly talk about themselves. They don’t seek the spotlight. Instead, they focus on lifting others up. Jesus Himself taught that it’s better to take the lower seat and wait for God to lift you up at the right time. [Phone call example].
Humility in Our Treatment of Others
Humility isn’t just about how we see ourselves—it’s about how we treat people. Just as love for God is shown in love for others, true humility shows up in our daily interactions. John the Baptist lived to glorify God, not himself, and we’re called to do the same.
God’s Role in Developing Humility
God doesn’t leave us to figure this out on our own. He works through our failures, challenges, and even painful moments to grow humility in us. It’s not about being perfect, but about letting God shape us over time.
The Call to Humility and Faith in Christ
At its core, faith in Jesus begins with humility. It means admitting we can’t save ourselves and receiving God’s gift of grace. That’s how a relationship with God starts—not through earning, but through trusting.