Light in the world

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  John 1:6-8

These verses introduce us to a man we have come to know as John the Baptist.  His mission was described as being a witness to "that light," or Jesus.  Note specifically that the Bible instructs us in knowing that John was not the light, but he came as a witness to the light. 

Now look in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says, "you are the light of the world."  His description of his followers in those words were likening them to being light, and later salt, and having the attributes of light and salt on the world. 

Now, if John came as a witness to the light, not being the light himself, is there a conflict with us being the light of the world? There is no conflict so long as we are reflecting Jesus who is the Light of the world. I am comfortable with Jesus being the Light of the world while I attempt to reflect his light through me as a witness to others.  I want my light to shine before men, that they can see my good works and glorify God.  In reality, it's the Light of Jesus shining through his people. 

Perhaps you can see there would be problems if we came across as being the Light.  John the Baptist was not the Light, but came only as a witness of the light.   We will do well to likewise be witnesses of the Light of Jesus shining through us so others can see and glorify God. 

This might not be a huge point of discussion for some, but there are those who have been involved in church work for many years who present themselves as the ideal or the source of truth and light, without leading people to Jesus who is the true Light.  If I try to lead someone to the Lord by showing them how good I am, I have led them to me, and not to Jesus. The world may look to us for light and we should show them the Light of Jesus shining in and through us. If we lead them to our brand of goodness rather than Jesus and his righteousness, we are leading them astray. 

The good news is this; there is One who is Light and he is faithful. Without him, there is no light shining through us for the world to see. With him, we become people of testimony to his goodness and his faithfulness, and especially to his loving kindness toward us as sinners.  His death of sacrifice on the cross is the greatest picture of emptying himself of his eternal royalty, and taking the punishment for our sins. 

I wish to join the ranks of John who wanted us to know about Jesus and come to know Jesus. I can appreciate the lives of those who have witnessed about Jesus, and have demonstrated his message of love and truth.  But remember the verse we opened with concerning John the Baptist, " He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light." That's my duty, and yours, too, as we let our light shine before men. 

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