John 3:26-30 “And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. [27] John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. [28] Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. [29] He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. [30] He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Throughout our study of the life of John the Baptist (the greatest man to ever live according to Jesus Christ) we have observed the character traits of consecration and courage. In this chapter, we will consider yet another element of John’s character, and that is his sincere humility.
John’s humility in life and ministry is without doubt one of the greatest traits he possessed. He never forgot where he came from and never lost sight of the fact that his life and ministry were all about lifting up the person of Jesus Christ!
Many other characters spoken of in the Bible, like Israel’s King Saul and Babylon’s ruler, Nebuchadnezzar, came from humble beginnings; but after being blessed by God with great power and influence, they became lifted up in pride which eventually brought about their own destruction. Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
The Word of God makes it clear that the Lord hates pride in any form, and pride is a destructive sin! Proverbs 6:16-17a “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look…” Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
The Scriptures also make it abundantly evident that the Lord loves and rewards those who are of a humble heart. James 4:6 “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” I Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time…”
John the Baptist’s sincere humility in both his life and ministry can be seen in two important ways.
John Directed Others to Jesus
First, when people came to John looking for answers to life’s questions, he wisely and quickly pointed them to the Savior. When the eyes of others were turned to him because of the notoriety his preaching brought him, John was swift in diverting their gaze and directing their attention to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Throughout his ministry, John did not attempt to build a following. Rather, he desired to create followers – not of himself; but of the One he was following, and that was none other than Jesus Christ! Paul would echo these sentiments in his own life and ministry when he later told the carnal Christians at the church in Corinth, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ…” (I Corinthians 11:1).
In John 1:29-34, the account of Christ’s baptism by John in the Jordan River is recorded. In the subsequent verses we are told that on the very next day, as John continued to baptize converts in the river, Jesus passed by the riverbank once again. Although, at the time, the attention of all the people gathered around was focused on John, verse 36 tells us that when he saw his Savior drawing near, John immediately cried out to all who could hear him, “Behold the Lamb of God!” John wanted everyone within earshot to know that this was “he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me…” (vs 30).
Verse 37 then tells us that after John had made his declaration about the Son of God, two of his own disciples stopped following him and began to follow Jesus! John 1:37 “And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.” Eventually, these two men (one of which is later identified as John the Beloved) would become some of Christ’s most devoted disciples.
Now, under similar circumstances, most leaders in our day would become irritated if not downright angry if two of their closest followers suddenly left them to follow someone else in this manner. Especially if that individual was somebody they had introduced their followers to in the first place.
However, these events and the sudden shift in loyalties by his followers did not anger John the Baptist; rather, they seemed to please John. For, after all, was not this his purpose in life to begin with – to point all men to Jesus?
John Desired to Glorify Christ
Another instance that illustrates John’s humility is found in the third chapter of John. In this passage of Scripture (which takes place several months after Christ’s baptism and the beginning of His earthly ministry), some of John’s disciples came to report that Jesus and His followers were seemingly beginning to see more results than John was seeing at that time. John 3:26 “And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.”
The followers of John were lamenting the fact that Christ’s disciples were beginning to baptize more and more converts, and the crowds that came to hear Jesus speak were increasingly growing larger and larger. As a result, the number of people who flocked to hear John preach was beginning to dwindle, and the number of those who were coming forward to be baptized by him in the Jordan River after each of his messages was greatly diminished.
Once again, this kind of report would certainly irritate and annoy a leader whose sole prerogative in life was to promote his own interests; and, from time to time, even spiritual leaders have entertained the sinful sentiments produced by the green-eyed monster of jealousy when they indulge in the practice of comparing the size or seeming success of their own ministry with that of another brother in Christ.
Is it any wonder then, why the Holy Spirit used the Apostle Paul to warn Believers not to make foolish comparisons in life but rather to remain committed to the cause of Christ? II Corinthians 10:12 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
Once again, when put to the test of human pride, pettiness, and jealousy, John revealed the great humility that resided within his heart. It did not matter to John that Christ’s popularity was already outshining his short-lived notoriety and fame. Being known and making a name for himself was not the motivation of John’s ministry. His aim in life was to make Christ known and to lift up His glorious name! John shared the sentiments of King David who penned the words in Psalm 105:1, “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.”
After hearing the reports of his followers in John 3, the faithful forerunner of the Savior told his disciples in verse 29 that as the “friend of the bridegroom [Who is Christ]” he “rejoiced greatly” to hear His Master’s voice. In the same verse, John also expressed that being able to help prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah and then having had the opportunity to witness the start of Christ’s earthly ministry was the greatest honor of his life and the fulfillment of his joy.
Then in verse 30, John reaffirmed his loyalty to the Savior and restated his purpose for living with these simple yet powerful words, “He [Christ Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” These seven words which reveal the humility that resided in John’s heart should be the constant refrain of every believer as we seek to serve our Master.
John Disdained Recognition
The legendary UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden, once remarked, “It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit.”[1] There is much wisdom in this statement, and John the Baptist certainly held this attitude in his approach to life and ministry. The mission (reaching souls) and the glory of the Master (Jesus Christ) were all that mattered to John.
As fellow laborers in the work of the Lord there likewise should be a spirit of cooperation and not one of contention as we strive together for the faith of the gospel of Christ. When humility is coupled with a heartfelt love for the Savior and for those with whom we serve, much can be accomplished for the honor and glory of God in our lives. Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ… that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…”
John’s consecration and courage in life were greatly complimented by the sincere humility he demonstrated in both seasons of abounding and abasement. No matter what the circumstances of his life were at the time, John’s motto and creed remained the same - “He must increase, but I must decrease...” (John 3:30). May this be true of each of us as well, as we seek to live for the King!
[1] John Wooden, They Call Me Coach.
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