DAY #142: John 1:5-28

Christ’s light shines unto a hardened, darkened humanity—and He continues to shine today. The darkness can never extinguish it. Those in darkness reject Christ, his light, and his followers. But no matter how deep the darkness, even a small light can drive it back. The power of Christ’s light overcomes any darkness in the world.

God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for the Messiah. He was the first to point people to Christ, so in a very real sense, all who have come to believe have done so because of his witness. John himself was not the light, but he came as a witness to the light. He was first in a line of witnesses that stretches through the centuries to this day.

Every person has life from God, thus they have some light; creation reveals God’s power and divinity (Acts 14:17; Romans 1:19-20; 2:14-16); and our conscience also bears witness to God’s existence. We know then that are no real atheists, just folks who have rejected the light of Christ.
John notes one of the greatest tragedies: the world—humankind—didn’t recognize its own Creator. They were blinded and could not see his light. Although Christ created the world, the people he created didn’t recognize him. He was denied the general acknowledgment that should have been his as Creator.

Though the rejection of Christ was universal, individuals did respond personally—some believed him and accepted him as the Son of God, the Savior. To them he gave the right to become children of God. We must believe in Jesus as Jesus, the Son of God; we must wholeheartedly believe in Jesus, not limiting him to our ideas and misconceptions; we must regard Jesus as the Bible truly presents him.

John the Baptist’s calling in life - his mission - was to give testimony to Jesus Christ. He was Christ’s first and most important witness. John disavowed any personal status; he constantly pointed men to Christ. Religious leaders came to see John the Baptist to ask him whether he claimed to be the Messiah. Their question indicates that the Jews were looking for the Messiah. John flatly denied that, making it perfectly clear that he was not the Christ; rather, he was one who prepared the way for the Christ.

These leaders kept pressing John to say who he was because people were expecting the Messiah to come. But John emphasized only why he had come—to prepare the way for the Messiah.
John was calling upon Jews to be baptized. Since this was new, the leaders demanded an explanation from John. John explained that he was merely helping the people perform a symbolic act of repentance. But the one who would be able to truly forgive sins was there in the crowd. The Son of God was among his own people, the Jews; but they did not realize it.

John said that he was not even worthy to be that man’s slave. John knew who he was in comparison to Jesus. This took place at Bethany to the east of the Jordan River, a site that has never been determined. This is different than the Bethany Jesus visited during his ministry.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Like John, it is my job - our job - to bear witness to the light. To share with others what Christ has done in my life. How He has changed me. How He has given me a hope and a future. How He has forgiven my past. I must lift Him up. I must get out of the way.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30 (NKJV)

Lord, may this be true of me today. Lord, help me decrease. My will, my sinfulness, my selfishness and self-centeredness - may that decrease daily. Lord, give me a servants heart. Give me a humble heart. Lord, I pray for our the Valley we live in. May Your light penetrate the darkness. May Your light break through in to homes and marriages. May Your light reach the students of this valley. Lord, bring about revival here in the place. Lord, get me out of the way. Whatever it takes, win this valley and these people to you.