“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:6-9

John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness to Jesus Christ, God’s Son and the light of the world. John was “the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). He did not seek to gain a following for himself but called upon all people to repent of their sins and trust in the Messiah and Savior who was about to appear. And John testified of Jesus, that He is God the Son and the Savior who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29,34).

As believers, we too bear witness to Jesus, the light of the world, that all might repent of their sinful ways and place their trust in Him for forgiveness and life everlasting (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47)! We do not proclaim ourselves to be the light but Jesus, for only He is the light and life of men. We of ourselves cannot forgive sins or give life everlasting, but Jesus paid in full for the sins of the world when He suffered and died on the cross and rose again, and Jesus offers to all forgiveness of sins and the everlasting joys of heaven.

Jesus is the true light that shines upon the people of this world. By means of His Word, He reveals the sins and shortcomings of each of us and He offers to us forgiveness and life through faith in His name. As believers, we reflect that light and point others to Jesus that they too might know Him and trust in Him for life and salvation.

Dear Jesus, grant that we would not proclaim ourselves to be the light and seek to gain a following for ourselves. But, rather, grant that we would proclaim You to be the light of the world and the only Savior of mankind! Amen.

[Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible]