Witness – John 1:6-8

Ever heard of Justipedia? It is a Wikipedia like site giving answers to judicial questions. For example, what is a credible witness: “A credible witness is a witness who is believed to be likely to give an accurate testimony. In order to be deemed a credible witness, the person must have actually seen the event happen, must have paid sufficient attention to it, and must possess knowledge, training, or experience relevant to the event. An apparent, sound moral character also helps to classify one as a credible witness.” God found such a witness in John the Baptist.

A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. He came for a witness that he might bear witness concerning the light, that all might believe through him. He was not that light, but came that he might bear witness concerning the light. (John 1:6-8 )

It is fascinating that God sent John, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming. He was a prophet filled with the Spirit from birth (Luke 1) and yet he performed no miracles, but simply preached that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. God spoke through him and opened the hearts of many in Israel to believe his witness, that Jesus was the light of the world, so that when Jesus came on the scene and John pointed to him, many followed Jesus.

Why does God choose to use humans in this way? Why couldn’t Jesus just come and begin preaching and doing miracles? Jesus makes much of there needing to be more than one witness to him, in compliance with Old Testament teaching (Deuteronomy 19:15), and that John was one of those witnesses (5:33). Some of John’s disciples became disciples of Jesus, as we will see in this Gospel.

Being used in this way grants us great blessing. What a privilege to be in on God’s work. God desires to use human beings to bring about some of His most amazing accomplishments. We aren’t the light, but we are witnesses to the light.

Discussion Questions

What has been your experience as a juror or a witness in a court of law and what have you learned about witnessing?
Luke 1:8-17 describes the special purpose John the Baptist would have. It references Malachi 4 and the prophecy of Elijah coming to prepare Israel before the judgment day of God, as if John the Baptist was Elijah. Do you think God calls everyone to a special purpose or just some?
What has been your experience of being used by God to accomplish some purpose of His and how did it make you feel?
How uncomfortable do you feel relating how God has used you and why do you think you feel that discomfort?
What do you sense God calling you to do with your life today?

About the Author Randall Johnson

A full-time pastor since 1979, Randall originally graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) in 1979 and from Reformed Theological Seminary (DMin) in 1998. He is married with four grown children and a pile of epic grandchildren.

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