Friday 15 July 2022

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.

The beginning of John’s gospel intentionally has lots of echoes of the beginning of Genesis. It starts with the “Word”, who is God speaking creation into existence, and light into the darkness (John 1:1-3; Genesis 1:1-3).

John the Baptist is sent by God with a special purpose: to be a witness to the “light”. It echoes the special purpose God gave all humanity: to represent Him, reflecting His image to His world (Genesis 1:26). By bearing witness to the “light”, to Jesus the creator God, John is fulfilling the purpose God gave all humanity to bear His image in His world. Jesus reinforces that being His witness to the world is our purpose too (Acts 1:8).

Being his witness means listening carefully to hear Jesus, the “Word”, speaking in His word (the Bible) and through His Spirit. I need to be careful to focus on Him, so I can clearly see what He did in the gospels and what His Spirit continues to do now. I need to walk closely with Him, going where He’s going and being part of what He’s doing in the world. I am His witness because of what I know and what I’ve seen and experienced. I just need to choose to be a faithful, truthful witness – like John.

Jesus, thank you that I’ve seen and heard and experienced you in your word, in my life and in the lives of others. As I walk with you today, who needs to hear what I’ve witnessed? Who needs to see you acting through me? Holy Spirit, use me to speak and show your truth in Your world today.

Written by David Cornell