What happened to "Less of me and more of you"?: Taking cues from a honey-eating, camel-wearing hippie

In Matthew 11, an imprisoned John the Baptist hears of the miracles Jesus is performing and sends his disciples to ask Christ "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" (v.3). Christ uses Old Testament prophesy (Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5) to validate to John the Baptist that he (Jesus) is indeed the Son of God, Messiah, that has been promised. "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor" (Matt 11:5). As John the Baptist's disciples leave to return to him, Jesus begins to preach to the crowd about John, saying
"What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did
you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in
kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than
a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of
you, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you the truth: Among those born of
women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in
the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. " (Matt. 11:7-11).

If John the Baptist's only role was to prepare the way for Christ, why are we not taking cues from this man, of whom Jesus himself said there is "no one greater who is born of women"? Is not our role (and by our role, I mean as church leadership, teachers, and followers of Christ) to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ? How did John the Baptist live? How did he teach? When did church leaders stray away from the "less of me and more of you" mentality of John the Baptist? Was he not called great by Christ himself?

I will explore these ideas over the next few days. If you like, journey with me so that we can all learn to take cues from such a highly regarded man and prophet. I am going to be starting with Luke 1:5-80. Read along and dialogue with me as I search for answers!