John’s Witness to the True Light

Today, we continue our journey through John’s Gospel. Last week, we learned about Christ, the Word that is, was, and always will be. He is the Light.

Without light, we see nothing. Without a witness, we know nothing. John the Baptist came first as a witness to the Light.

Without knowledge, the people perish.

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. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them, He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:6-13 NKJV.

Sent From God

The passage first captures my attention by describing John not as God’s emissary, but as originating “from” God. Being sent means God comes to a person and then sends them on a mission, unlike John the Baptist. He was the mission.

The Lord created, designed, and mastered John the Baptist’s life before he spoke a word of witness. He is the only one I know who was filled with the Spirit from the womb. His witness to the Light is pivotal in God’s plan for salvation. John was sent from God with one purpose: that we may see the Light and believe.

Believe

To believe is not passive, but active in every way. With our intellect, emotion, and volition, we must choose to have confidence in Christ Jesus, the Messiah. We must be fully persuaded that He is the Light.

If there are no witnesses, then there’s no testimony. You cannot swear to tell the truth, nothing but the truth, if there is no Truth. John came to bear witness to that Truth.

The Light came to enlighten us — to snuff out the light in the dark soul and the shadowy mind. But what is enlightenment? Enlightenment illuminates, furnishes knowledge, and gives us spiritual insight. In the Light of His presence, we can discover what we did not know before — the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Witness

How do we know unless someone tells us?

To understand, we need God’s instruction, guidance, and counsel. We are incapable of acquiring knowledge independently of ourselves. God knows this is how we learn, grow, and develop understanding.

Communication is critical.

Our ability to learn and understand depends on transmitting information — the word. A witness, a teacher, a guide, or a counselor is of great value, but they must speak for us to learn. We must rely on others to share their knowledge, experience, and insight. Without it, we cannot grasp complex concepts or cultural norms or gain basic life skills. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot gain spiritual knowledge.

We need a witness.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14-15 NKJV.

What is a witness?

Where there is considerable concern for the truth, we need a credible witness. God is the ultimate witness, sending the Word of His testimony. Jesus is the Light—the assurance of our salvation. When we believe this witness sent by God, something interesting happens. The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit, assuring us of our salvation.

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Rom 9:16 NKJV.

God has not, nor ever will, leave Himself with a witness.

John the Baptist was indeed a witness to the Light, as were the prophets (Acts 14:7), Father God (John 5:37 & 8:18), the works of Christ (John 5:36 & 10:37-38), Christ Himself (John 5:36 & 10:37-38), and finally, we who believe (Acts 1:8).

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 NKJV.

We are walking witnesses of the Light that came into the world. We are children of Light. Furthermore, we’re given supernatural (spiritual) power to proclaim the gospel. Our intimate relationship with the Light is on display. In our soul, echoes of the Holy pour forth from our lips as a testimony and our lives as a witness.

Isn’t it interesting that John the Baptist did not witness by signs and wonders, but by the word of faith and confidence in the Truth.

Why send a witness in John the Baptist and every believer? So that those who live in darkness (the walking dead) may see the Light and believe.

Our witness?

Our witness is the revelation of Christ in us. It is objective and not subjective. Objective knowledge is truth—fact. Our witness is not based on what comes from our minds (opinions), emotions, or experience. It is based on the truth and forces those who witness our lives to choose Christ or reject Him.

It is what it is.

He came to His own, and His own did not believe in Him — the Son of God was sent to seek and save the lost. How can a person be found if they do not even know they’re lost?

So here’s the truth:

All living human beings need forgiveness (John 1:29), a Savior (John 4:42), and eternal life (John 6:33 & 8:12). But they hate God (John 17:25), Jesus (John 7:7), and believers as well (John 15:18-19). The world is ruled by Satan (John 14:30 & 16:11), while we who believe are walking witnesses who physically live in the world, but we are separated (holy) out of the world system by faith in Jesus Christ (John 17:6 &17).

Jesus is the Light!

What is our witness?

Jesus is the true, genuine Light. Without the Light, we gain only flickers of the truth and glimpses of reality. Partial lights and false light do significant harm. Without being enlightened by Christ, many have trusted only flickers of false light, leading them into the dark, so they remain there.

Jesus — the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

Sadly, to the world, God dwells in unpenetrable shadows — unapproachable and impersonal. Jesus came like a lightning bolt, snuffing out the darkness. Now God can be seen, in full display, approachable, real, and personal. There’s no guessing game here or wistful thinking. The darkness, shadows, and mists fade away in the Light.

Praise the Lord, the Light has come!

The human soul shudders at the thought of death, but Christ has overcome it in His life, death, and resurrection. Christ is the light leading us out of darkness and death.

We walk not merely as witnesses but as children of light. More than just giving us hope, instruction, and an intimate relationship, He gives us His presence! The darkness of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair is gone forever.

Conclusion

Witnesses are important. God sends us to witness to the Light. How do they know if someone doesn’t tell them? Witnessing to the Light is our right and responsibility as children of God.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them, He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:10-13 NKJV.

Call to Action

Ask the Lord to show you where you can be a witness.

Continue your loving relationship with the Lord—live the “with God” life—and people will see Christ in you. If they ask what makes you different, then tell them. If they don’t ask, allow the Holy Spirit to show them with their own eyes why you are different.

Now, today, walk in the light as children of the light.

Can I get a witness?