Dale Pollard
John the Baptist stood apart from the world around him. His message was bold, his lifestyle was humble (and a little weird), and his mission was clear— point people to Jesus. In many ways, the Christian life today should reflect the same spirit that marked John’s ministry.
In Luke 1, John’s name was not chosen according to family tradition or lineage. Instead, God Himself appointed the name John. That detail reminds us that our identity is no longer rooted in ourselves, our family history, or the expectations of others. We now carry the name of Christ. Scripture teaches that His name is powerful. In Luke 10, demons were cast out through His name. It’s through His name that sins are forgiven and through His name that we approach the Father with confidence. Christians are people marked by a different name.
At the same time, John clearly understood that he was not the Messiah. He refused to take a place that belonged only to Jesus. Christians today can fall into the same temptation when we place our opinions, judgments, or assumptions above others as though we can read hearts and minds. John’s humility reminds us that we are not called to be flawless saviors. Only Christ fills that role. Our responsibility is simply to be usable and obedient in His hands.
John also understood that his purpose was to point others to Jesus rather than himself. Even after gaining disciples and influence, he directed people away from himself and toward Christ. Humility remains essential in the Christian life. Paul addressed this issue in Corinthians when believers divided themselves by saying, “I am of Paul” or “I am of Apollos.” John was simply John. No believer is the center of the story. Dale is just Dale, and you are simply you. Christ alone deserves the spotlight.
Another defining characteristic of John’s life was his loyalty and submission to Jesus. Isaiah 53 describes Christ as appearing ordinary to the world, yet John recognized His greatness immediately. In Luke 3, John declared that he was not even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals. True Christianity begins with recognizing the holiness of Christ and willingly submitting ourselves beneath His authority.
John’s message also remains the message of the church today: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). His ministry culminated in the powerful declaration of John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” That truth is at the heart of Christian living and echoes throughout books like Romans, 1 and 2 Peter, and James.
When believers decrease so Christ can increase, transformation happens everywhere. A church filled with disciples who are determined to humble themselves will grow stronger. Marriages flourish when husbands and wives seek less of themselves and more of Christ. Parents succeed when they raise children with eternity in mind rather than personal pride. Spiritual life deepens when personal ambition decreases and devotion to Christ increases.
John was different from the world around him. The question for every believer is the same— are we different? Can people tell by the way we live, speak, and serve that Jesus is increasing while we are decreasing?
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