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).
Today, we see that the Teacher inspired the
apostle John to record that the incarnation of The Word was
announced by a humble yet confident man named John and that the incarnation of
the Son of God was like a great light coming into our dark world. The Spirit
reveals the truth here that only the light of God can dispel the darkness that
encompasses our world because of sin and God still calls humble and confident
believers to impact the world for Christ by sharing the true light.
God chose to announce the coming of His Son
through a man. The birth of the infant Christ was predicted by a prophet… “For
to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon
his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The birth of the
child Christ was announced by angels… “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear
not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the
people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). But the arrival of the man Christ was
announced confidently by a humble man, John the Baptist. He was a prophet in
the spirit of Elijah in that he promised the coming of Christ… “I baptize
with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after
me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie” (John 1:26-27).
He was a prophet in that he revealed Christ to the world… “The next day
he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes
away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29). Above all else, John was a
very humble man as he served as the Lord’s messenger… “I have been sent
before him… this joy of mine is now complete… He must increase, but I must
decrease” (John 3:28-30).
The Spirit inspired the apostle John to describe
Christ as true light. Jesus echoed this truth… “I have come
into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in
darkness” (John 12:46). The apostle writes of Jesus as the light of God
shining in the world seventeen times in his gospel. The Teacher inspired John
to teach that the true light is more powerful than the darkness
of the world… “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it” (John 1:5). Unregenerate people love the darkness more
than the light because the light reveals their sin… “For everyone who
does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his
works should be exposed” (John 3:20). But genuine truth seekers are
attracted to the true light… “But whoever does what is true
comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been
carried out in God” (John 3:21). Those seekers who come to Christ by
faith receive His light… “I have come into the world as light, so that
whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (John 12:46). The
life transforming power of this true light confirms the divinity
of Christ… “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who
sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me” (John 12:44-45).
Christ taught His followers that while He was
here, He was a light for the whole world… “As long as I am in the world,
I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). He encouraged His followers to
follow His example and become light to the world like He was through faith in
Him… “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become
sons of light” (John 12:36). He challenged His followers to share His
light with the world after He returned to the Father… “You are the light
of the world… let your light shine
before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your
Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). Sharing the light of Christ
with the world brings glory to God and requires the same humility and
confidence that John the Baptist demonstrated as a messenger of Christ.
As we grow up into Christ walking in
the true light we become more like Him and we become more humble
and confident, like the man sent from God whose name was John. As
we are transformed by His light we become more effective at helping others come
to know Christ by sharing…
The True Light.
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