In the Beginning: The Book of John (John 1:6-18[HCSB])

6 There was a man named John who was sent from God.

7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.

8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.

9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.

11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.

12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

14 The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed, “This was the One of whom I said, ‘The One coming after me has surpassed me, because He existed before me.)

16 Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, 17 for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son the One who is at the Father’s side He has revealed Him.

A man named John

John the Baptist was that man; and he was also the cousin of Jesus, probably second or third, but a cousin, nonetheless. His mother Elizabeth and Mary’s were cousins; Elizabeth had also received a special gift of childbirth from the Lord.

John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb upon the presence of Jesus in Mary’s. John, himself, was on a mission to glorify Jesus from the womb … to bear witness to Him, before either man was born in the flesh. In spirit and in truth, the die had been set before either man was conceived.

In the same way as John we are not the light, but we testify to the Light. Our whole purpose as disciple-makers is to testify that the Light is Jesus. We shine brightly; we are cities on hills and beacons in the valleys; we are lights unto the paths of others and we can rightly say that we are “glow in the dark people.” We do not glow on our own but as dim planets that reflect the Light of the Son. We must understand that many will cover their eyes or turn away from the Light altogether. John the Baptist was, himself, beheaded.

There is a movement underway in England called Sunday Assemblies at which attendees are asked “to check God at the door.” Britons generally claim that they are not a Christian country and boast 3 out of 4 not being “religious.” That, by the way, is code for being an unbeliever. I suspect this movement will gain traction in the United States and elsewhere.

As believers we are to bear witness to the identity of Jesus Christ as Messiah and Lord. What does it mean “to bear witness?” The use of the phrase refers to legal proceedings and means to “testify” under oath.

Even though we have all denied Jesus at various times in our lives, He never denied us. It’s now time to stand up and testify as witnesses for the defense.

The prosecution (Satan) is betting we will be “no shows.”

Bear witness in this way: “This is the One I told you about. Jesus is God.” Lift up His name at all times and in all places. Love one another and gather “two or three at a time” for in that way we bear witness to His presence.