As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at verse 6 of chapter One. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle wrote:
“There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, that through Him all might believe. He himself was not the the light, he came only as a witness to the light.” John 1: 6-8
The man who he speaks of here is of course, John the Baptist, and every mention of the name John in this message will refer to him. We shall spend more time later discussing John, the Baptizer, and the person. But, The Apostle inserted this mention of John the Baptist in the middle of his presentation that Jesus was the Light because of his significant role, and then returns to more truths that Jesus is the true Light of the world.
John was a miracle baby, born to very old parents that were barren. He was the cousin of Christ Jesus, but evidently spent little or no time with Him growing up. John was born for a huge purpose that we shall discuss later, but this is the fact the Lord would have each of us to realize. We are All born for a purpose – a huge purpose. We are all sent from God for this time, and wherever we are. John’s Dad Zechariah, was a Priest, and had been visited by an angel of the Lord, and had been told of what John was to come into this life to do. (Luke 1: 5-80)
John the Baptist heard from the Lord through His Dad. He believed the words spoken unto him, and lived his life accordingly. We are blessed to have the Word of the Lord in our possession, and to live our life as He has called us to do when we spend time in it. John could have said to his Dad, “You what? You were visited by an angel? Come on! Get real!” Just as many of us today question the promises of God, and lose the power that is in those promises, John could have missed his calling. But, he chose to believe. He chose to believe, and became a reflection of that glorious Light of the world, Christ Jesus.
John was not the Light, he was a reflection of it. So are we to be. When Christ is in our life because we have believed and asked Him in, there is a light in us that shines out as we walk in His Holy Spirit.
God has called us and given us talents that only we can use. We are to do the many different things that make up the wholeness of the body of Christ with the specific gifts given unto us, but we are all to be the same when it comes to letting the Light shine through to a world that will lead them to the lavish love of the Father.
May our lives be like John, – a reflection, and a witness of the light. May we be blessed to be a blessing, God’s Beloveds.
Poppa B.
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship