It’s Not The Man

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (John 1:8 KJV)

I read that in another blog – “This Little Light of Mine” – that lead in with this verse about how each of us have a unique way of being witness of this light. This verse is describing John, Jesus’ cousin, that we call The Baptist:

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (John 1:6-7 KJV)

It's not the man that's important, whether it's John, a pastor or television personality. It's the message. It’s the light that is important:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5 KJV)

There are many people who witness to their belief that Jesus was a good man. Some say He was a philosopher who worked to give the poor hope, even though that hope was fruitless. Others believe He was a great prophet, sent by Allah as many were before and one was afterward. The Bible gets specific here “and the Word was God.”

It doesn’t get more specific than that, does it? Well – actually, it does:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)

He confirmed that He was the light:

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV)

He also said that He would be leaving this world:

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5 KJV)

He had plans for when that happened:

Ye are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14b KJV)

That’s what we’re to witness to – He left knowing that there would be a reflection of His light as long as we were willing to tell the world about Him. When we do, through our words or actions that reflect His light, we are following His instructions:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV)

How’s your light? Too often I find mine dimmed by a number of things. I could list those things, but I’m certain each one of us is aware of what dims our light. And, we just as aware of what would polish it to the point that it would reach through the blindness around us.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV)

John was no different than you or I. He was a man with a message – a man who bore witness to the light of the world. How is your light?