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Objective

In this lesson we’ll see that God has not called us to become great but to become small, following John the Baptist’s example of humility and faithfulness.

Key Verse

John 3:30: He must increase, but I must decrease.

Introduction

John the Baptist was given a unique calling by God. He had the privilege of announcing to the world that the Messiah had come. This was no ordinary man with an ordinary message—John was chosen by God for an extraordinary purpose.

John 1:6-8: There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

John was a good messenger. He had a clear understanding of who Jesus was and why He came to earth. This understanding shaped everything about his life and calling.

John 1:15-18: John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'” Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Luke 3:16-17: John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

John the Baptist revealed several important things about Christ in these verses:

• Christ existed before John
• The grace of Christ is greater than the law of Moses
• Christ reveals the Father to us
• Christ will give us the power of the Holy Spirit
• Christ is the one who will judge

John’s greatest revelation was that Christ came to take away our sins.

John 1:29: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

John had a unique calling. He also had a unique understanding of Christ that had been revealed to him. This is why Jesus described John as the greatest man born of a woman.

Luke 7:28: I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

But John was still just a man. He faced trials and sufferings. He experienced doubts. There is much that we can learn from his life and calling. In this lesson we’ll focus on four important truths:

• He always pointed people to Christ
• He confronted sin with boldness
• He brought his questions and doubts to Jesus
• He was steadfast in his calling

He Always Pointed People to Christ

All the prophets pointed ahead to Jesus Christ. John was the last prophet before the Messiah came. He was the messenger promised by Isaiah and Malachi.

Luke 3:3-6: He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.'”

Malachi 3:1: I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come, says the Lord Almighty.

People wondered if John the Baptist was the Messiah. He was quick to point people to Christ instead.

John 1:19-23: Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.'”

Luke 3:15-16: The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Do your words point people to Christ? Does your life point people to Christ? Or do you want people to focus on you and your accomplishments? (Notebook Moment: When you face success or recognition, what is your natural tendency—to draw attention to yourself or to give glory to God? How can John’s example challenge you in this area?)

1 Corinthians 2:2: For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Acts 4:12-13: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Galatians 6:14: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

He Confronted Sin with Boldness

John didn’t compromise with sin. He didn’t consider his own safety and comfort as greater than the truth of God.

Mark 6:17-19: For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to.

We have seen this quality throughout the great men of the Bible. Nathan the prophet was bold when he confronted the sin of David.

2 Samuel 12:7: Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.'”

Elijah was bold when he confronted the sin of Ahab and Jezebel.

1 Kings 18:17-18: When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals.”

God told Ezekiel to deliver his message without fear.

Ezekiel 3:8-9: But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.

We should be bold against sin. But every Christian needs the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Sin that threatens our community should be confronted carefully. But sin should also be dealt with gently and privately when possible. We should seek to bring people to repentance.

1 Timothy 5:20: But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.

2 Timothy 2:24-26: And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Every godly person must lead by example. We should first confront the sin and temptation in our own lives.

1 Timothy 6:11: But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

He Brought His Questions and Doubts to Jesus

It’s hard for us to think of John the Baptist experiencing doubt. He was bold in his calling. He pointed people to Christ. He confronted sin. But John was a man like you and me.

Luke 7:18-23: John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'” At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

John was not the only prophet who experienced doubts in his calling:

• Elijah felt sorry for himself (1 Kings 19:4)
• Jeremiah wanted to give up (Jeremiah 20:9)

How did John handle his questions and doubts?

First, John’s questions led him back to Christ. He didn’t focus on himself. Instead he wanted to know Christ better. He sent his disciples to Jesus with a question.

Luke 7:19: Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Second, Jesus reminded John of what he already knew. He told John’s disciples to describe again the miracles that He was performing. These miracles proved that Jesus was the promised Messiah.

Luke 7:21-22: At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

When we have doubts we should remember who God is. We should remember what God has already done for us. We should remember that He has called us and will be faithful.

He Was Steadfast in His Calling

Things don’t always happen in our lives the way we expect. We don’t always end up where we think we will. John is a good example of this.

John was faithful to God’s calling. But John ended up in prison. The same thing happened to Joseph and Jeremiah.

Jesus knew what was in John’s heart. That’s why Jesus defended John before the people.

Luke 7:24-28: After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

What does it mean that John was not a reed shaken by the wind? Picture the tall reeds that grow along the banks of rivers and marshes. These plants bend and sway with every breeze that blows. When the wind changes direction, the reeds immediately bend the other way. They have no strength to stand firm against the pressure around them.

Jesus was telling the crowd that John was the opposite of a reed. While reeds bend with every wind, John stood firm like a strong tree. He didn’t change his message when it became unpopular. He didn’t soften his words when powerful people threatened him. He didn’t compromise his convictions when it would have been easier to go along with the crowd. John was steadfast—unmovable in his commitment to God’s truth.

John was steadfast even though he had questions and doubts. Jesus knew that John would be steadfast to the point of death.

Mark 6:27: So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison.

We’ve already seen many examples of steadfastness throughout Scripture. We’ve studied men like Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jeremiah. God requires the same commitment from you and me. (Notebook Moment: What challenges in your life are testing your faithfulness to God right now? How does John’s example of remaining steadfast even unto death encourage you to persevere?)

1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Colossians 4:17: Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

Conclusion

We’ve seen many great qualities in John the Baptist. One of the greatest qualities was his humility. He knew that God called him to point people to Christ.

John was humble. But Jesus called him great.

Luke 7:28: I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

We should see the promise that Jesus gave us in this verse. God will exalt the humble. As we are lifted up in Jesus Christ we will be greater than John the Baptist.

The life of John the Baptist shows us what it means to live with proper perspective. In a world that tells us to promote ourselves, make ourselves great, and put ourselves first, John shows us a different way. He understood that his role was to decrease so that Christ might increase. This is the calling of every believer—not to build our own kingdom, but to point others to the King of kings.

John’s example challenges us in four key areas of our Christian walk. Like John, we must consistently point people to Christ rather than to ourselves. We must have the courage to confront sin, both in our own lives and in our communities. When doubts and questions arise—and they will—we must bring them directly to Jesus rather than allowing them to pull us away from faith. And we must remain steadfast in our calling, even when circumstances don’t turn out as we expected.

(Notebook Moment: Which of these four qualities—pointing to Christ, confronting sin, bringing doubts to Jesus, or remaining steadfast—do you most need to develop in your own life? What practical steps can you take this week to grow in that area?)

The greatest lesson we learn from John the Baptist is that true greatness comes through humility. In God’s kingdom, the way up is down. The way to be first is to be last. The way to be great is to become small. John understood this truth and lived it out completely, and Jesus honored him for it by calling him the greatest man ever born.

As we seek to follow Christ in our daily lives, may we have John’s heart—a heart that says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This is the path to true significance, lasting impact, and eternal reward.

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