Issue #179, April 20, 2016
John was a great leader and highly esteemed not only by his followers but by Jesus Himself. But his greatness was marked by increasing humility. He was able to humbly release his disciples, humbly point people to Jesus, and finally lay down his own life for the cause. His humility is clearly revealed in this account. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan– the one you testified about– well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less (John 3:26-30). John’s humility is revolutionary and challenges all servant leaders to learn from his example.
Increasing humility removes competition.
John’s disciples came and reported to him that the momentum was shifting. For some time John had been the most visible leader and people flocked to hear him. But now, people were moving toward Jesus. Everyone is going to him. That message tests the heart of any leader! Leaders are action-oriented and have a strong natural desire to win. A spirit of competition and jealously are natural results and are found in the hearts of many leaders, even those who claim to follow Christ. The leader wants their business, church, or organization to be bigger and better than another. Jealousy and competition are clear indicators that humility is not present. But John demonstrates a completely different heart and responds that it is okay for Jesus to grow in popularity and for him to “become less.” He was not competing for numbers or popularity. He could genuinely rejoice at the success of another because of his humility. Servant leaders seek results, but resist a competitive spirit.
Increasing humility reveals Jesus.
He must become greater; I must become less. John recognized that in leadership there is only a fixed amount of greatness. He could be great or Jesus could be great, but not both at the same time! He seemed to have no difficulty becoming less since he saw the corresponding increase of Jesus became greater. John was passionate about revealing Jesus and teaches servant leaders that the only way to see more of Jesus is to see less of them. He recognized that this process of becoming less to reveal more of Jesus is a journey of becoming; it is not a destination at which we arrive. Leaders often promote themselves to attract followers. But John teaches us that servant leaders humbly make Jesus attractive to followers.
Increasing humility results in joy.
That joy is mine, and it is now complete. Humility and joy are not words that we expect to find together. It would appear that when we are humble and experience becoming less it will be painful and difficult. But John experienced complete joy in his humility. Yes, for humility to be evident our self must be broken and this is a painful process. But servant leaders find genuine joy when they stop competing and focus instead on revealing Jesus. They can celebrate the success of another without it threatening their own identity. Servant leaders discover increased joy with increased humility.
John redefines success for servant leaders. He teaches that the way up is down. He demonstrates that the way to joy is through humility. He shows that the way to victory is to release our desire to win. He calls each of us to increasing humility.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Do I see other leaders, churches or businesses as competitors? What does John’s example call me to change in the way I view others?
- What happens in my heart when I hear of the success of another leader? Am I able to rejoice or do I find a competitive spirit in my heart?
- Where does my own pride keep me from experiencing ‘complete’ joy in my leadership? What needs to be broken in me to release the joy John the Baptist experienced?
- Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Paul said that God’s power was made “perfect in weakness.” In what way does Paul teach the same concepts I have seen in John the Baptist’s leadership? In what ways is Paul’s testimony like mine or how is it different?