1/4/11 John 1:6-8 Pointing to the Light

In 2011 we will be going slowly through the Gospel of John

 ⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

(John the Baptist in the Wilderness; Bachiacca 1522; Bob Jones Art Gallery)

Thoughts: The Word was sent into the world, and John was sent into the world as well.  The difference that this Gospel makes clear is that John was a man and claimed no divinity- but Jesus was not only sent from God, but was God.  John is the first witness spoken of in this gospel.  In that sense, John the Baptist is our example.  He did not want glory for Himself, but was unabashedly bold in his witness to Christ.  We are called to point to the light that is shining in the darkness. 

Prayer: Help me, O Light of the world, to point to you this day.

John Calvin Abridged: God not only sent His Son, but He also sent John the Baptist as a witness that we might more readily receive the salvation offered by Him.  The Baptist was sent from God.  All who minister in God's name must likewise be called by God to the ministry so that their authority rests on no other than God alone.  The evangelist reminds us that John was not the light- lest his excessive brightness obscure the glory of Christ.  There is a sense in which all who believe are light (Eph. 5:18), and that the apostles are lights (Mt. 5:14), but Christ is the only eternal source of illumination.