John Points Us To The Light And The Life :: John 1:6-9 15
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The real light, which illuminates all men, was coming into the world. ... John bore witness about him and cried out, This is he of whom I said He who comes after me ranks before me because he was before me.
Last week, we heard how God’s Word conquered the darkness with eternal light. That Word and Light is Christ Jesus, our crucified and eternal God in the flesh. He truly is the great light who scatters the darkness of sin, Satan, and death. He is the true Word that gives us hope in the forgiveness of sins. All things for us and for our salvation have been secured in Jesus, whose birth united divinity to humanity and whose ascension takes humanity into heaven.
As the Word of God ... Christ is meant to be heard and seen ... to be touched and proclaimed.
But, as Paul says in Romans, how is someone to hear without someone speaking? How are the works of God going to be known unless they are announced? And we, who are to hear, how can we unless the Word made Flesh comes to us to grant us knowledge, wisdom, and strength in him who conquered death and lives eternally?
Faith comes in hearing, and hearing the Word of Christ. Faith grows in praying and preaching that is centered on Jesus who spoke forgiveness from the cross. Faith is secured in hearing the Word of God, given to us by a messenger sent by God.
Which brings us to today’s reading. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.
1.
Why doesn’t God just speak to us from the heavens or in our hearts?
The simple answer is that God is a God of means. He uses creation to satisfy our bodily needs. He uses doctors and medicines to heal our illnesses and correct our injuries. He uses water to wash away sins in Holy Baptism. He uses bread and wine to feed us with the fruits of Jesus’ cross. And he uses men to speak peace, hope, and strength in God’s Word.
That’s one reason God sent the prophets. Last week, we heard Jeremiah, who told us that God was coming in righteousness. This week Malachi tells us that our righteousness is coming to do justice. Next week we will hear from Isaiah, who will speak double comfort to His people, proclaiming that God’s righteousness and justice brings the forgiveness of sins.
Hearing this Word of God and being enlightened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it’s only natural that God’s servants cry out to His people: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight the highway for our God. Lift up your voice; shout to the towns of Judah: ‘Behold Your God!’ ...
Yes, behold Your God, who is coming to you to redeem you and free you from the tyranny of your enemies. ... Behold your God, who is coming to raise you to new life from the dead. ... Behold your God ... the Lamb of God whose sacrifice takes away sin and whose resurrection grants life everlasting!
2.
And just as He promised, so it happened.
John came as a witness to testify to the light, so that through him all men might believe.
This John is not the author of the Gospel we are reading, but John the Baptizer. As the text says, He is a messenger sent from God who has come to make people ready for the Light by baptizing them. Baptism opens our eyes to the light. And John came as a witness to testify to the light, so that through him all men might believe.
Of all prophets and preachers of the Bible, Jesus says John the Baptizer is witness extraordinaire. As Jesus says Matthew 11: I tell you, [he is] more than a prophet. John’s greatness is that whenever he spoke, it was always about Jesus. John never took center stage, but stood to the side and boldly said, This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ... ‘This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. .... ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ John the Baptizer joyfully takes the back-seat, saying in John chapter three: Jesus must increase, and I must decrease.
That’s what true messengers of God do ... they don’t talk about themselves. They don’t give you words from their heart. They share the Word God shared with you. They point to Christ so that the light of Christ will shine without confusion and without doubt.
Rather than following John’s example, many churches focus on personal testimonials rather than testify about Jesus. They talk about their work instead of the work of Christ, his life, his death, his resurrection. Some churches seek fame, greatness, prosperity, and power. They want to fill the pews ... not to lead people to salvation in Christ’s cross and victorious resurrection. Many more want to say ... Look at how great we are! ... Look at how much we love Jesus ... and sadly neglect the greater one whose Name is Jesus and how much Jesus loves them.
But not John the Baptizer ... oh, no! Many were going out to see him, and he looked ragged, poor, and perhaps a bit crazy. He dressed himself in camel’s hair, wore a leather belt, fed himself with honey and locusts, and preached fiery sermons of repentance. The focus was never on himself, but always on the one coming who is mightier.
This message of John the Baptizer is still proclaimed today.
3.
In this Holy Christian Church, we preach Christ and him crucified as our only Savior. This preaching comes through the Word, the Word who speaks and acts. It also comes through the Sacraments, the means of grace that deliver forgiveness of sins. Like John, we are not the light; We only bear witness to the light ... this truth.
The Church is not your savior. The church comes as a witness to Jesus, the one who scatters the darkness, who defeats the demons that plague your mind and heart, and who shines in the darkest of places.
That’s what John the Baptizer’s message was about ... that’s what the church’s message is about ... it’s about Jesus, the true light coming into the world so that all men might believe and have life in his name.
John the Baptizer still cries out ... we hear him tonight as he turns our eyes toward the light of Christ, who gives sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf ... who raises the dead and gives life to all who bear his name. John still bears witness concerning this light that has come in Christ and is still coming. No power, no authority, and no demand of silence can quiet his witness. John the Baptizer has decreased ... and Jesus has increased.
Christ was lifted up, high above all creation ... suspended between heaven and earth as he hung upon the cross. In this deed, he who knew no sin cast out the prince of darkness, and on the third day, the light of Christ shone out of the grave. Jesus still shines in the voice of those who come to you, announcing that He has come. It is Jesus whom prophets preach and angels sing. It is Jesus, the true light that gives light to every man ... shining in the darkness for you.
Thanks be to God that You have heard this Word of God ... because God sent a man, whose name was John. Thanks be to God that your ears have heard his testimony which pointed you to Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God that John’s message of Jesus continues on for you through the Word of the Holy Christian Church. Thanks be to God, that He continues to send His messengers into the darkest places of our lives to bear witness concerning the light of the crucified, dead, and resurrected Jesus.
Hear the voice of God’s messengers and be encouraged, comforted, and built up in the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God, given to you by the messengers of God, proclaiming the light that has come, is coming, and will come to shine for you ... in Jesus’ name. Amen.