The courtroom was full, the players all in place. The circumstances inspired an atmosphere thick with tension. The consequences of the impending decision were literally life or death. The case had two star witnesses. The first one was an interesting character in the fullest sense. His dress, customs, and even diet placed him on the margins of society, yet his message was so compelling no one could ignore him. Oh, they may not have liked him or what he said – but he surely could not be ignored. In fact, it was reported that God himself had sent him! In the dock was the one in question, and the other star witness, for he bore witness for himself. Before all, this one shone so radiantly and so purely – the truest form of light ever seen by mankind. Surely the verdict would be clear and quick with such remarkable testimony. Shockingly, as the jury deliberates we come to see that many of them reject the testimony of the star witnesses.
This is the story presented to us in John 1:6-13. We have already read that Jesus is the eternal, divine, personal Word of God (vv 1,2), creator of all that is (v3), and the possessor of such life that his life was the light of men (v4). In verse 5 we read of an opposing darkness, albeit a darkness that in no way could overcome the light of Christ. Besides this, John the Baptist comes on the scene (vv6-8), sent by God as witness to this true Light. God graciously sent him as a witness “that all might believe through him (v7).” Sadly, in spite of the gracious merciful witness sent by God, and the undeniable evidence of himself, many of his own people did not receive him (v12).
I trust you are enjoying the brilliantly written prologue of John’s Gospel as we work through it Sunday mornings as we draw near to Christmas. Yet this scene is not merely for our entertainment. John tells us that he has written his gospel with one purpose in mind: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (20:31).” We are not bystanders. We also have been presented with the evidence of verses 6-9, the more than adequate witness to the Son of God. And this evidence demands a verdict (vv10-13). Echoing the exhortation of Deuteronomy 30:19, “I have set before you life and death … choose life”, God promises that to all who receive him, he gives the right to be children of God (v12). I pray this Christmas season that you would see Christ as he truly is, that you would know him intimately as the true light of mankind, and that you would taste of God’s “life in his name”.
Much love,
Pastor Gary