I Am Unworthy!

I Am Unworthy!

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Nativity of John the Baptist

Jer 1: 4-10; 1 Pet 1:8-12; Lk 1: 5-17

The birth of John the Baptist is an important feast for Christians because, just like his birth, his life was also extraordinary. 

However, the sweet irony is that we celebrate John not more for what he achieved but for what he refused to claim for himself. 

Though he was a fearless and powerful preacher, he remained humble to the extent that he acknowledged his unworthiness in front of Christ. Hence, John’s humility becomes the right prism to explore his life, message, and witness.

1. The Signpost Away from the Spotlight: John understood his life more as a signpost that would point to Jesus. This is why he was content to play the role of Jesus’ forerunner. As a prophet who established himself as a baptizer, it would have been easy for him to steal the spotlight from Jesus. However, John never stole the show. Even when confusion arose about his identity, he openly declared, ‘I am not the Messiah’ (Jn 1: 20) and ‘He must increase, but I must decrease’ (Jn 3:30). John conducted himself in such humility that his life and presence reminded others that Jesus was their destination. It takes true greatness to say ‘I am unworthy’ (Jn 1:27) despite being worthy in every way so that he was even praised by Jesus (Mt 11:11). John refused to make himself the center and thus gave glory to Christ. 

2. Austerity and Life in the Wilderness: As Angel Gabriel revealed, John’s life was marked by discipline and sacrifice. He deliberately opted for a life in the wilderness because he wanted people to see Jesus, not himself. Hence, his life away from human settlement was in itself a powerful message that people’s attention should be fixed on Jesus. Thus, John, who took his life of Jesus’ forerunner very seriously, let his detachment itself become a witness. Also, he led his life in such a way that others understood that someone greater than himself was coming. Accordingly, when Jesus came, John told his disciples, ‘Look, the Lamb of God’ (Jn 1:35). John preached in words. But he also let his simplicity become a sermon. 

3. Preparing People and Witnessing to the Light: The Angel’s message highlights that John would ‘turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God’ and he would prepare ‘a people fit for the Lord.’ Accordingly, John preached repentance and called sinners to conversion. Thus, everything he did was ordered towards making hearts ready for Jesus. In this regard, John understood himself to be just a lamp while pointing to Christ as the Light. For this reason, John’s life, message, and mission were all designed to testify to the Light. The baptizer’s mission came to a fruitful ending when he showed his disciples their destination in Jesus by saying, ‘Look, the Lamb of God.’ The success of John’s mission was that he prepared the ground for Jesus to start his mission of announcing God’s Kingdom.

John’s life is a reminder that we must understand our mission more in relation to how we become signposts to Christ. The forerunner of Jesus has taught us that a life of hidden service and a life that does not seek recognition is still worthwhile if it is done for the greater glory of God. John’s austerity is an invitation for us to retreat into the ‘wilderness’ if it would greatly enable our testimony to Christ. 

Let us pray that we may imitate John’s example of humility and missional integrity. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar