We don’t know a ton about John the Baptist (or as they called him in the first century “the baptizer) because he isn’t given a lot of space in the gospels. He also died young. Here’s the thing, though… John the Baptist had a large ministry for some time… a huge following. He had disciples. And his disciples were proud to be associated with him. But from the earliest days of his ministry, he knew that he was called to prepare the Jewish people for the Messiah… the One they had been waiting for – the One who had been prophesied about in the Old Testament. The most pronounced way he prepared the people of God was by baptizing them. This opened their hearts to receive Jesus.
But then the day came when John the Baptist saw Jesus walk through the crowds and enter the water to be baptized. This was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. And this was the day that John’s ministry would take a back seat. But for his followers, they were struggling with it. They came to John one day and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everyone is going to him instead of coming to us” (John 3:26). I doubt they were prepared for his response as he said his infamous words: “He must become greater and greater and I must become less and less” (John 3:30). Imagine that?
These words from John the Baptist’s mouth are some of the most powerful words in the gospels and they carry great weight for every Christian. So from these words, let’s examine two important features for how we are to live and how we are to do ministry.
Always exalt Jesus! This is called humility and I must say that this is often hard to find in the church today. Social media has become a hub for self-glorification. Christians have fallen into the trap of what the culture promotes… selfies. Look what I’m doing. Look at me. They are more interested in building their businesses or their following than they are of exalting Jesus. They want to become famous, wealthy, and important. They talk about themselves more than they talk about Jesus.
When I began to publish my Bible studies, I had a hard time putting my name on the front cover because I did not want to promote me. Then I realized that while the Holy Spirit wrote the studies, He used me as a tool. And I also want people to associate my name with TRUTH. But I try my hardest to always promote Jesus. I try to tell people much more about Jesus and His grace than I do about myself and my accomplishments. John set the precedent high.
Be willing to step aside! This is also a hard one to do sometimes, especially if you’ve spent a long time building something up… some ministry or kingdom work. David wanted to build the Temple, but God said to him… “No, it will be your son, Solomon, that will build it.” I began Solid Truth Ministries 30+ years ago. But every morning, I give it over to God and I know that one day he may call me to step aside so that someone else can lead it. And, of course, I want His will. This ministry is His, not mine. I may not be the one to carry it forward. I just pray that it will continue.
Maybe God is calling you to step aside to give someone else a chance. Maybe God is saying that He has taken you as far as you’re supposed to go with it, but now He is asking that you move aside to let someone else take the reins. Remember that what God has done through you is ultimately His. John set the precedent high.