John 1:6-9 - The Witness to the Light

John 1:6-9

6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.

Message: The Witness to the Light

Time: Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: John the Baptist appears in all 4 gospels. These seems like it should be significant and yet how significant do we make it. I suppose I don't make it significant but it is clearly very important in the life of Jesus and those hearing his message for someone to come like John and prepare the way. John Michael Talbot wrote a song called Prepare Ye the Way in 1977 which was also recorded by Caedmon's Call. Interesting that this is a song I think about when I think of John.

In a way we are all John the Baptists, out in the world to Prepare the Way for Jesus. I've wondered how people came to accept Jesus, but maybe it was because John the Baptist prepared the way. 

John lived 31 years. He was executed by beheading after he spoke truth or rebuked Herod Antipas for divorcing his wife. And then marrying the wife of his brother. In the gospels, John is also mentioned as baptizing Jesus. 

A couple of notes:

• He was sent by God. 
• He came as a witness.
• His purpose: testify of the Light. 
• Why? So that all may believe through Him. 
• The Light enlightens every man. 

John is on the scene to not get any credit, but so that Jesus gets all the credit. I wonder if his message came from God or came from being with Jesus. Also, of note, John the Baptist is not John the author of this book. 

Summary: It was necessary and needed for John to first appear and prepare the way for Jesus to come. 

Promise: Before Jesus started teaching about Himself, John the Baptist provided people with the clearest understanding of who Jesus was and what He came to do.

Prayer: Father, help me to understand more fully this man, John the Baptist, what he did and how lived for You, preparing the way and then being executed at the age of 31. He was significant. I need to remember him and the affect he had on the message of Jesus. Thank you Lord for him and showing me the importance of him.