This is post #3 in a series.  If you want to see what came before, LOOK HERE.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:6–9, ESV)

light_dispersion_conceptual_waves350pxLike the Sun bears witness that there is such a thing as light, so God sent a man.  His name was John.  He was Jesus’ first cousin.  We know him from the Gospels as John the Baptist, or more accurately, John the bapitzer.  He did a lot of things and yet only one thing.  He preached.  He ate locusts and honey.  He dressed like a prophet of old.  He confronted people about what God thought about right and wrong.  And he offered the path of repentance as preparation for the coming kingdom of God.  And the kingdom would be in a person.  That person is The Word, we’ve been hearing about in John 1:1-5.

John had a reputation.  He made an enormous impact in this world before his head was place on a silver platter.  Here was the Apostle affirming John’s ministry, but also reminding people that John was only a servant of higher purpose, a higher person.

John’s one job was to bear witness about the light.  The light of God was breaking into the world.  It was going to change everything.  And John was the advance team.  He was prying open eyes, so they might see that glimpse of light and life.  In these short verses, I see a couple of vital things that we must remember if we are going to bear witness to the Light.
  1. A witness has a something to say.  A witness understands the implications of what she/he has experienced.  And a witness tells.  We tell the story of the Light of Life.  We tell the story of the in-breaking of God’s Son and His Kingdom.  We tell the story of His grace and love.  We have a story worth telling.
  2. A witness is not the person, event, or story that is important.  Clearly, it is said of John the bapitzer, “He was not the light…”  No matter how influential he was, he was not HIM.  Witnesses don’t make the story about them.  They tell the story of the Light.  We all know witnesses who would rather witness about themselves than the One who came.  Let’s keep it about Jesus.
  3. A witness is more than a gossip.  We don’t just spread news.  We share so others may believe.  We have a purpose.  It isn’t to entertain, or get attention.  It is to show a way, the way of life in the Kingdom, through the Word.  Let’s tell so others can believe.
  4. A witness is indiscriminate in who he/she tells.  If the Light is life for everyone, then the announcement is for them.  So, whether we find ourselves along the banks of the Jordan River, or the 67th floor of the Willis Tower, or with a group of preschoolers in Sunday School, we say what we can say about the One who came and still comes into the lives of women and men.  Look at all those around you as those who need to know.

As always, thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing as you see fit!  But most of all, thank you for sharing the Light we all need.

You can see the next post here!