[Editor's Note: This article is the third in a series on the theme, “Being a Man of Humility.” Click here for the first article and second article.]
When we think of John the Baptist, I doubt if the first thing that comes to mind is that he was a man of humility. Wasn’t he a “wild man” who came out of the wilderness wearing a “garment of camel hair with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4)? Didn’t he go about telling everyone to repent and didn’t he call the Pharisees and Sadducees “a brood of vipers” (3:7)? That doesn’t sound very humble. But if we take a more careful look at the life of John the Baptist, a different picture of him emerges.
First of all, John the Baptist had no grand illusions when it came to answering those who questioned him about his identity or God’s call for his life. The temple priests wanted to know if John claimed to be the Messiah or the great prophet Elijah who was to return on the Day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5). Even though he was immensely popular, John had no illusions about who he was. In all sincerity and humility, he said he was only a voice warning people to prepare the way for the Lord.
John is considered to be the greatest of the prophets, yet he lived as a humble and faithful servant of God. Jesus regarded John the Baptist as the greatest of all men (Matthew 11:11), yet John declared himself unworthy even to untie Jesus’ sandals (John 1:27). He was neither weak nor quiet when he saw what needed to be said or done. He wasn’t afraid to confront kings, tax collectors, soldiers, and common citizens with their need to get right with God. And, true to his humility, he pointed others not to himself but to Jesus as the answer to all their needs.
John’s words, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (3:30), provide a clear picture of this man’s humility and his understanding of the limits of his role. He was simply to point people toward Jesus and then get out of the way so that they could come to know and love Jesus for themselves. John is a great model of humility for each of us.
During this grace-filled season of Lent, we are called to fix our minds and hearts on Jesus Christ and the transforming power of his suffering, death, and resurrection. Let us also be like John the Baptist and point others to Jesus through our words and our lives.
(This article by Maurice Blumberg was part of the Catholic Men’s E-zine, “Being a Man of Humility” (May–June 2002 issue), which is available on the NFCM website. You may e-mail them at info@nfcmusa.org. Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to include material from daily meditations in their devotional magazine.
Reflection Questions on Page 2
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. Were you a little skeptical about the title of this article (John the Baptist, Man of Humility)? Why or why not? In what ways did the article change your view of John the Baptist?
2. What were some of the attributes of John the Baptist that made him a man of humility? Which ones do you think you need to develop more in your own life?
3. How do the words of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30), provide a clear example of his humility? What are some areas of your life that you need to decrease during Lent? What are some areas of your life that you need to increase during Lent?
