A Johannine Study (John 1:6-8, 15)

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light... 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.”)

The first time I went to the ballet I got to see one of the principal dancers perform on her 20th anniversary with The National Ballet of Canada. She played the role of a young girl infatuated with an aloof aristocrat. Though the story was entirely pantomimed, her every step and gesture communicated a person in love. The beauty of her dance was something to behold. In point of fact, the theatre was filled with people who beheld the graceful movements of this experienced dancer. In the midst of witnessing this performance, I became enthralled with the drama. Everything else seemed to fade, including thoughts about me. For what was on stage was not myself, but the principal dancer.

The first chapter of John is a remarkable treatise on God. We learn, particularly from verses one to eighteen, who Jesus is. In the midst of these verses, however, there are a few comments concerning John the Baptist that seem to be out of place. For example, verse five could have easily continued without verses six to eight: “5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” Yet, the writer of this gospel thought that it was important to mention “a man sent from God, whose name was John.”

There is no doubt who the principal subject is in John’s gospel. In contrast to the principal ballet dancer on stage, Jesus is preeminent in this narrative. John the Baptist was introduced to compliment the principal subject, not rival him. He wasn’t the one on stage, “He was not the light.” He was the one sent by God to witness about Jesus, “but he came to bear witness about the light.” In other words, John the baptist was worthy of mention at this point, not because he was commendable in his own right, but because he gave his life to making much of Jesus.

This is made evident in the repeated use of the word “witness” (Greek: martureo, martureia). This word is frequently used in this gospel to describe a person who gives an account about something that they know to be true. In this case, John the Baptist knew that Jesus was greater than him, “John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.” He then shared that witness to others by way of testimony. In other words, he was the prototypical evangelist. This is the legacy of John the Baptist.

How often do we consider ourselves more than we ought? As if our self-centered testimonies would benefit others. But when our identities are found in Jesus, as witnesses to the truth about Jesus, then we have a testimony worth mentioning. Christ died for our sins. Let us now step off the stage and give him glory! For he alone is worthy to be praised.