A life that points to Christ
John the Baptist
From John the Baptist we learn humility that gladly decreases so that Christ may increase, courage to speak the truth whatever the cost, and a life aimed entirely at pointing away from ourselves to Jesus. His life teaches self-forgetful witness, and it points directly to the Lamb of God.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”John 3:30
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”John 1:29
“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”Matthew 3:2
“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”Matthew 11:11
Their story, honestly
John was the forerunner, born to elderly parents and set apart to prepare the way for the Messiah. He lived austerely in the wilderness, preaching repentance and baptizing crowds, and when people wondered if he might be the Christ, he insisted he was only a voice, unworthy even to untie the Messiah's sandal. When Jesus came, John pointed and said, behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. As his own followers left to follow Jesus, John said, he must increase, but I must decrease. He fearlessly rebuked King Herod's sin, was imprisoned for it, and was beheaded. Jesus said no one born of woman was greater than John.
What their life teaches us
First, John teaches the rare humility of a life aimed away from itself; his joy was to point to another, and to fade as Christ rose. Second, he teaches courageous truth-telling; he confronted a king's wickedness knowing it could cost his life, and it did. Third, he teaches that greatness in God's eyes is measured by faithfulness to our role, not by fame; John was content to be a voice, a signpost, a friend of the Bridegroom. His words, he must increase, but I must decrease, are perhaps the finest summary of the Christian life ever spoken.
How their life points to Christ
John existed to point to Jesus, and his cry, behold the Lamb of God, names the very heart of the gospel: Christ is the sacrifice who takes away the sin of the world. John was the friend of the Bridegroom, rejoicing to hear the Bridegroom's voice, and content to step aside. Every faithful witness since has followed his pattern, decreasing so that Christ increases. The greatest man born of woman spent his greatness pointing away from himself to the Lamb, teaching us that our lives find their meaning not in being seen, but in helping others see Jesus.
Questions people ask
What does he must increase, but I must decrease mean?
It captures John's whole purpose: to point to Jesus and gladly step aside as Christ grew more prominent. It teaches the humility at the heart of Christian life, finding our joy not in being noticed but in helping others see and follow Jesus, content to fade so He is seen.
Why did Jesus call John the greatest born of woman?
Because of his unique role and faithfulness as the forerunner who prepared the way and pointed directly to Christ. His greatness lay not in miracles or fame but in a life wholly devoted to announcing the Messiah, showing that true greatness is faithfulness to God's calling.