Some interesting truths about the story of John the Baptist.

1. He was asked if he was the Christ, He didn't claim what he wasn't. He knew his purpose. John 1:20-23
2. He was also asked if he was Elijah because just as the expectation of the Messiah, Elijah too was expected to return. Although John never knew he was the Elijah, Jesus Christ, acknowledged that John the Baptist was indeed the expected Elijah. Matthew 11:14
3. We have so underestimated this man yet Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, calls him the greatest of all the prophets before him. Greater than even Moses!!!
Yet He also called him the least in the Kingdom of Heaven- our dispensation of the Holy Spirit.
Oh, we are so underperforming as Christians.
4. Unfortunately he didn't Follow Christ even though he acknowledged Him as Christ and even asked others to follow Him.
5. He let His circumstances create doubts in him of His Messiah. He created his own expectation of what Christ's mission should be while Christ was already fulfilling his mission in the lives of His followers.
Matthew 11:2-6

In conclusion, greatness in God's kingdom is clearly not a factor of how much spectacular display of power. No account was given of John the Baptist reigning down fire or splitting the sea.
What He did was live righteously and prepare souls for the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Righteous-living and Soul-winning truly touch God's heart.
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise."
Proverbs 11:30, Daniel 12:3