New Testament · New Testament
John the Baptist
“He must become greater; I must become less.”John 3:30
Biography
John the Baptist was the son of the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, born six months before Jesus and set apart from birth as his forerunner. He lived an ascetic life in the wilderness, preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan River. He identified Jesus as 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' and baptized him. Jesus declared that no one born of women was greater than John. John was later imprisoned by Herod Antipas for condemning his unlawful marriage and was beheaded at the request of Herod's stepdaughter Salome.
Spiritual Lesson
John the Baptist models the highest form of ministry: pointing entirely away from oneself to Christ. 'He must increase; I must decrease.' He was the most prominent religious figure of his day and willingly stepped aside. His burning question from prison — 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?' — shows that even the greatest faith passes through seasons of doubt. Jesus's answer did not rebuke him but met him with evidence and tenderness.