John 1.6-8 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.
John the Baptist had a unique place in the unfolding of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. John was foretold to be the voice of one crying in the wilderness. He was a voice that spoke the word of God with power and authority, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!” John had one purpose, and that was to point others to Jesus Christ, The Lamb of God. Here, he is called a witness of The Light. Though we may not hold the same unique place in the plans and purposes of God, Christians indeed hold a key role in God’s redemptive plan for sinners.
When Jesus was ascending up into heaven, we read these words in the first chapter of the book of Acts, “but ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This promise of The Spirit’s power to witness for Christ was echoed on the Day of Pentecost. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
May God grant to us the power and desire to live for Jesus in such a way that our verbal testimony of Him is not contradicted by how we live. Beloved, we are called to be witnesses, not attorneys. And what is our message? This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Our objective is not to be politically correct, but faithful to God.
