Jesus Christ said of His cousin John the Baptist, "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11).

What was great about John, and how can we aspire to be great in the eyes of God?

John knew his mission. In John 1:6, we read that he was sent from God to be a witness of the Light. The Light was Jesus Christ. John was not the Light, and he knew it.

It is important to know who we are and what our mission is.

John focused on his mission. He never elevated himself above what he was assigned to do.

John was a contemporary of Jesus and ministered at the same time. On two occasions, as noted in John 1:29 and 35, John was in the same place where Jesus was.

Both John and Jesus had followers. When John saw Jesus, he recognized Him and told his followers, "Look, the Lamb of God!" He was willing and wanting the people who were following him to find the true Light.

Later, as the popularity of Jesus was increasing, the disciples of John remarked that the people were going over to Jesus and leaving John (John 3:26). John's response was, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven" (John 3:27).

John was secure in his position. He knew he could not get any more than God would give him, nor would he be given any less.

True security is knowing that God is in control, that He directs our steps, and that whatever God has given to us for His purpose cannot be taken from us.

Insecurity causes us to believe that we can clamor, grasp, and cling to whatever we can grab, and that if we exert enough force, we can get it and keep it. John never grasped anything except his mission from God.

John rejoiced in the success of another. He stated clearly that he was not the Christ (John 3:28). He went on to say that he could never lay claim to what was not his.

Jesus was the bridegroom. The followers of Christ were the bride (John 3:29). John knew he was not the bridegroom; he was "the friend who attends the bridegroom" (John 3:29). He was dedicated to the success of Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom.

John went on to say that "the friend . . . is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice" (John 3:29). John was the best friend Jesus ever had. He never aspired to be any more than a faithful servant, ever looking to the good and success of His master.

John summed it all up when he declared to those asking him why Jesus was more popular: "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30), John was never less than loyal; he never pushed any agenda other than exalting Jesus Christ.

John did become less. He faded from the scene. He was put in prison and died.

John was great because he was faithful to what God had for him to do. Whatever power or possessions he had were dedicated to exalting Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. He was truly great!