John 1:6-9 - Lesson #4

In this lesson we are introduced to a man known as John the Baptist. Luke introduces John the Baptist through the angel Gabriel as he spoke with Mary about the birth of Jesus; "Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age" (Luke 1:36). John was born six months before the birth of Jesus. "So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the desert till the day of his manifestation to Israel" (Luke 1:80). That day came when John the Baptist began to be a witness for Christ.

John 1:6-9
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world."

We don't know anything about John between the time he was born and when he began to preach. Apparently he lived his life in the desert; "clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey" (Mark 1:6). But when he was about thirty years old, "the word of God came to John" (Luke 3:2). The word from God was that the time had come to announce Jesus to the world and to prepare people to receive Him.

John's preaching caused quite a stir in Israel. It had been four hundred years since a prophet had come proclaiming the word of God and now there was John speaking with power and authority. In fact, many began to be followers of John; some even supposed him to be the promised Messiah. It is thought that one of the additional purposes of the Gospel of John - in addition to showing that Jesus was the Son of God - was to show that John the Baptist was NOT the Christ, "he was not that Light."

The Gospel says that John was sent from God with a definite purpose, "to bear witness of the Light." Bearing witness means to testify or give a truthful report. And the purpose of his witnessing was that those who heard his witness would believe - believe in the true or real Light who is Jesus Christ.

All of us believe and are following a light of some kind. We all allow our path to be "illuminated" by something and then set our heart, soul, mind and strength on following that which appears to lead to peace and happiness. But all lights other than Jesus are false and are leading off a cliff of destruction. And our life, without even trying, gives witness to the light we are following. Are we leading others off a cliff?

Let's commit to following the absolute true Light of Christ without any hesitation or reservation. Let's never allow our life or our ministry to be elevated such that others begin to follow us instead of Christ. Rather, let's make certain that every area of our life is a witness which points to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the One and only real Light.