The Light

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

THE LIGHT

John 1:6-9

6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  

NIV

Let consider John the Baptist for a moment. We are going to come to conversations between John and people the Pharisees sent to question him as to who he was. But for now let us just consider he was sent by God and he was to be a witness to testify concerning the light. The whole purpose was so all men might believe. We know this was John’s whole purpose for living. From the time he was in his mother’s womb, he was filled with the Spirit. Although he is not consider the light, but only a witness to the true light, we have been given this light and are now consider to be the light of the world.

Matt 5:14-16

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

NIV

When Jesus was in the world he was the light of the world as we will see John say this later in his witness about Jesus, his gospel. But Jesus ascended to be at the right hand of God and sent the Spirit to dwell within us, so that we might be the light. We are a lot light John the Baptist in that sense. We are not the true light, but we have the light within us and we are to shine that light so others might believe. Because Jesus, the true light gives light to every man, that is our calling, our purpose, our ministry among man. We are to testify concerning the light, Jesus. It might be fine to speak of God, but we are to testify concerning Jesus. The whole world needs to be able to see that light. How will they unless we allow him to shine through us and out into the world? Let the light shine.