ARE YOU HUMBLE?

Learning Humility from John the Baptist

“Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

This was the comment from John the Baptist’s disciples about Jesus after a dispute arose between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial washing.

The comment seems almost designed to invite rebuke, anger or some other negative reaction from John.

His ego was being stoked.

They were effectively saying: Jesus is taking the attention away from you.

Up until that time, John had been the centre of attention. People came from Jerusalem, Judea and the region around the Jordan to hear him and be baptized by him.

John was a man of considerable influence. Even Herod feared and respected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and listened to him gladly (Mark 6:20).

Are you not going to do something about this?

But John’s reaction gives us an insight into the quality of the man.

His response was nothing like what might have been expected. In fact, it almost sounds like a rebuke to them for reporting Jesus’ growing ministry to him.

Using the picture of the bride and the bridegroom, John told them that his joy was complete because of what was happening.

He also reminded them of what he had already said: “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him” (John 3:28 NIV).

Then came his remarkable declaration:

“He must become greater; I must become less.”— John 3:30 NIV

John’s response models humility.

He did not seek to keep the attention on himself, nor was he upset that people were leaving him for Christ. In fact, he demonstrated this humility time and time again.

On another occasion, when the Jewish authorities sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask John who he was, they offered him several opportunities to claim an identity or position that was not his.

They asked him, “Who are you?”

John made it clear: “I am not the Messiah.”

“Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No” (John 1:19–21).

John could have entertained the speculation, enjoyed the importance attached to these questions or simply remained silent.

Instead, he clearly rejected every identity that was not his. Humility seemed to come naturally to John.

Speaking about Jesus, he said that He was the one “whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” (John 1:27 NIV).

“At another time, when John saw Jesus, he pointed Him out to his disciples, saying, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36 NIV).

The two disciples heard him and left John to follow Jesus.

This could have been difficult or even embarrassing for anyone. Yet the Bible records no negative reaction from John.

John is a model of humility in the Bible.

He did not want to take the focus away from Jesus. He understood his mandate and never sought to claim a position that was not his, preferring to honour Jesus rather than himself.

Contrast This With What Happened With Saul

David had just returned from battle when the women came out to celebrate.

As they danced, they sang that Saul had slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands (1 Samuel 18:7).

Saul became angry and displeased by the comparison.

He began to feel threatened by David’s success, wondering what more David could get except the kingdom.

From that day forward, Saul kept a close eye on David (1 Samuel 18:8–9).

His fears were not helped by David’s growing popularity. Scripture tells us that “all Israel and Judah loved David” (1 Samuel 18:16).

Even Saul’s own son Jonathan loved David and sided with him.

The reactions of John and Saul could hardly have been more different.

Yet both faced a similar reality: someone else was receiving attention that had previously been given to them.

John said:

“He must become greater; I must become less.”

Saul effectively asked:

He has taken the attention from me. What else can he have but my kingdom?

We know where Saul’s anger and jealousy eventually led him.

Instead of accepting what God was doing in David’s life, Saul became increasingly consumed with protecting his own position and trying to destroy David.

Eventually, Saul lost his kingship.

The Bible repeatedly warns us about pride while urging us towards humility. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Saul was not the only person in the Bible whose pride brought him down.

We also know the story of Nebuchadnezzar.

One day, as Nebuchadnezzar walked through his palace, he looked over Babylon and attributed everything he saw to “my mighty power” and “the glory of my majesty” (Daniel 4:30).

His downfall was spectacular.

While the words were still in his mouth, a voice came from heaven declaring that the kingdom had departed from him.

Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from human society and ate grass like an ox until he eventually acknowledged the sovereignty of God.

Scripture warns us that pride comes before a downfall, while humility comes before honour (Proverbs 18:12).

Nebuchadnezzar chose to celebrate himself rather than God. He forgot the source of everything he had.

Paul raises this same issue when he asks, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV).

What Does All This Mean for Us?

In the reality of our lives—our work and our interactions with others—occasions will arise when we compare ourselves with other people, or compare our status, achievements or position with theirs.

When we encounter people who occupy a lower position or status than we do, the way we treat them can reveal what is in our hearts.

If we let our ego take over, we may find ourselves speaking poorly to people, treating them as though they are beneath us or speaking to them condescendingly.

James warns us against giving special treatment to the well-dressed person while treating the poor person differently (James 2:2–4).

Scripture also tells us, “Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position” (Romans 12:16 NIV).

At other times, the test comes from the opposite direction.

Someone else succeeds.

Someone else receives the recognition.

Someone else is promoted.

Someone else is celebrated.

Suddenly, we find ourselves in Saul’s position, watching another person receive the attention we once enjoyed.

What do we do then?

LESSONS IN HUMILITY FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST

A. Celebrate others rather than becoming threatened by their success.

When John was confronted with the success of Jesus’ ministry and the crowds He was drawing, he was not threatened.

Instead, John said, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete” (John 3:29 NIV).

He was genuinely joyful that Jesus’ ministry was increasing.

Scripture also tells us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15 NIV), celebrating the success of others even when we are not the focus of attention.

B. Do not draw attention to your own status or importance.

John actively sought to put the attention on Jesus, insisting, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30 NIV).

Philippians 2:3 similarly calls us to value others above ourselves, while Romans 12:3 warns us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought.

These Scriptures call us not to focus on ourselves, our status or what we think it should afford us.

C. Accept your role or position, no matter how ordinary it might seem compared to another.

John’s role was defined—he was a forerunner.

Yet he had become so prominent that people wondered whether he was the Messiah, Elijah or the Prophet.

John could have entertained the speculation or simply remained silent, but he clearly told them who he was not.

Things changed when Jesus began His ministry and the attention shifted towards Him.

But this did not affect John.

He continued his work, doing what he had been called to do while also pointing people towards Jesus as the Lamb of God.

He did not pretend to be less than he was, but neither did he claim to be more.

He simply said, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him” (John 3:28 NIV).

There was no need to compete with Jesus because John understood his own role.

D. Acknowledge when someone else has something greater to offer.

John openly acknowledged that Jesus and His ministry were greater than his own.

He explained that although he baptized people with water for repentance, the One coming after him was mightier than he was and would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).

John had no difficulty acknowledging that someone else had something greater to offer.

E. Do not take credit for what belongs to someone else.

When people wondered whether John might be the Messiah, he did not allow the misunderstanding to remain simply because it elevated his status.

He immediately told them, “I am not the Messiah” (John 1:20 NIV).

He refused to take a title and honour that belonged to Jesus.

F. Remember where what we have comes from.

Here, consider what not to be.

Nebuchadnezzar forgot the source of his wealth, power and position and attributed them to his own mighty power.

The consequences were severe.

John, on the other hand, acknowledged that what we receive comes from heaven: “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven” (John 3:27 NIV).

He understood that what he had—his position, influence and the recognition he received—came from God.

He did not seek to take the glory for himself.

We should be like John, remembering the source of what we have and returning the glory to God.

The call is for us to remain humble, take the attention away from ourselves and keep the attention on God.

As You Go About Your Day…

Consider the personalities we have read about today.

Ask yourself:

A. Are there some of the qualities we saw in John that I already have? What are they?

B. What qualities may be missing in me?

C. What other qualities of humility can I intentionally develop?

May the God of all wisdom give us understanding as we continue to grow in the knowledge of Him and learn how to live our lives.