A Man Sent from God

Scripture Reading: John 1:6-8

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 first person, other than Christ himself, to appear in John's gospel is John the Baptist.  It is interesting that he is never called by that title, although it is clear from his activities that it is an accurate description of him. 

John's main function in this gospel is that of a witness.  His role as a witness is what is emphasized repeatedly throughout.  Although, this is true of John, it is important to see that he is not alone in this role as a witness. He is one witness among many. 

While John's pictured as a witness and that is his single trait, it is not a simple trait.  He has other roles.  He is a baptizer, a herald, a forerunner, a teacher, a groomsman, and a lamp.  John is not a witness apart from those roles, rather he serves as a witness in those roles.

This text is the first thing we hear about John. He is God-appointed and God-sent.  God is the authority behind his mission. His mission is clear and simply stated. He came as a witness. 

This primary identity as a witness is repeated in 1:15 in a parenthetical statement:

John bore witness about him, and cried out, "this was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.

The prologue essentially concludes with verse 18 and the story immediately picks up again with the witness of John. The leaders of the Jews come to him.  These leaders, whom John consistently refers to as simply Jews, are one of the main recipients of this witness.  One of the main factors in silencing people in their witness about Jesus is fear of the Jews.  John is not curtailed by this fear.  He doesn't remain silent.

1:19-28 we find the Jews sending a delegation to John. The came to investigate John. Behind their questioning was suspicion.  They wanted to know if John was going to be a threat to their power and position.  Was he trying to bring about some kind of revolutionary movement.

These representatives of the Jewish leaders, who represent the world in hostility toward Christ even in the realm of religious thinking, were indicating that they thought that John might be putting himself forward as a messianic figure.  So John's witness begins with a denial of any messianic identity in himself.  He even denies being any sort of major eschatological figure - Elijah or Moses.

They are asking who he, John, is and instead John is faithful to his role as a witness and testifies as to who Jesus is. 

One important truth we can learn from John the Baptist is that no matter who we are, what our achievements in life might be, or what level of success we attain, Jesus Christ is the only one that matters.

Point others to Him. Always.