Day 1 – John 1 (January 9)

Witnesses to the Light

Today, we are in John 1. As I read through, I am now going to use the H.E.A.R method of Bible Study to journal what jumped out at me today, I would love for you to share and journal some of your comments and findings as well in the Comments Section. Happy Hunting in the Word. Go back and read this blog from the weekend to familiarize yourself with the H.E.A.R. Study method https://revdavidyarborough.com/2023/01/07/how-to-h-e-a-r-from-god/

H – Highlight – My highlight today covers several groups of verses all regarding the call of John Baptist. John 1:6-8, 19-30, 35-37 Usually I do not highlight so many verses, but all of these were interconnected about the calling and the role of John the Baptist (JTB),

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…

¹⁹ Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”²¹ They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²² Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³ John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” ²⁴ Now the Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵ questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” ²⁶ “I baptize with^[e] water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷ He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”… ²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ …

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

EXPLAIN – JTB was a man sent from God with a clear and specific mission and call. These verses reveal that he was called as a witness (a word used for one who testifies in court) and that his testimony was in regards to the LIGHT so that through John’s testimony and life others might believe in the Light, the One who was to come.

It is made clear that John himself is not the Light, but only a witness to the Light. John clearly testified when asked that he was not the Messiah (v.20) or any other of the great prophets. When asked, He simply said he was a Voice (Witnesses testify using their voice and sworn testimony) in the wilderness helping to “make straight” the way of the Lord. The idea of making straight seems to refer to removing all of the garbage that gets in the way of Jesus and the Gospel. It is almost like a modern day “road construction” project where one comes to fix potholes, bends in the road, smooth over bumpy places, and help provide the most clear and direct road to one’s final destination.

John the Baptist knows that he is not the final destination for the human heart. He is just a witness to the One who is – Jesus. He fully believes that the One who comes after Him is to be preferred – that Jesus is before Him in the sense of importance even though His ministry comes after John. John is the opening act preparing the audience for the featured performer in all of human history – Jesus, Messiah, the Son of God.

And so finally we see in John 1:35-36, one day John is with his disciples and they see Jesus. John declares, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Upon hearing these words, John’s disciples begin to follow Jesus. In the end, they were not called to follow John, but called to follow Jesus. His whole ministry was as a man sent from God as a witness to the Light.

Apply – I know my calling is also to be a witness to the Light of Jesus Christ. It is an incredible pleasure to be used by God, by I must always remember that it is not about me. It is about Jesus. I am not the Light. He is the Light.

As witnesses, we should not seek to put the spotlight on ourselves. We should not do anything that would diminish the light, distract from the light, hinder his light, or seek to replace the light. The calling of my life is to let His Light and Life shine in and through me so that people would be drawn to Jesus.

The purpose of my voice is to give witness to One who is greater than me. How can my life help prepare the way/make straight the way of the Lord for others. I love John’s heart for Jesus. When his disciples leave Him to follow Jesus, he realizes that is the whole point. The goal of our ministry should be to help people become followers of Jesus – not adherents to us, or our personal fans. We have found true success when God uses us to connect people into an authentic relationship where they follow Jesus.

Respond – Father, I thank you for calling to be one of your “sent ones” as a witness to the light. Forgive me when I confuse my role and ever think it is about me. I remember and know it is all about Jesus. Give me the power and grace to make it all about Him – to let my life witness fully to His light and life. May I never diminish His light, steal His light, or distract others from His light. Father, please fill me with the Holy Spirit so everything I do makes straight the way for Jesus. Amen.

I want to represent Jesus well. I want to evaluate my life and ministry and make sure I doing everything I can to make it about Jesus.

So, what did God say to you today? I would love for you to share some thoughts in the comments.