Encountering JesusSample

DISCOVER

The author, John, gives us a brief introduction to John the Baptist in this passage. We see how important the character of John the Baptist was to early Christianity because he is not only mentioned throughout the New Testament but also several times in the Old Testament in the form of prophecy. In this particular case, we are given the imagery of light, a common theme in the New Testament. John was born to bear witness to the person and light of Jesus Christ.

LEARN

John the Baptist served as a messenger to bear witness to the true identity of Jesus. He sawJesus not only as the light but also as the light worth sharing. In verse 9, Jesus is described as the “true light.” The truth is nearly impossible to decipher back then, and this remains true today. Light is a well-known analogy for truth. When we spread the light and truth of Jesus, we have a much better time deciphering what truth is because we have something, or better yet, someone to measure it up against. Jesus is our greatest sense of truth.

APPLY

Just as John the Baptist was known to be someone who “came to bear witness to the light,”so are we. We are meant to continue this mission as people who share the truth ofJesus; it is the greatest way to be remembered. Is this how you will be remembered? You don’t have to be in ministry or in the church to spread the light of the truth of Jesus.