Chapter # 1 Paragraph # 2 Study # 3
October 16, 2022
Broadlands, Louisiana
(Download Audio)
Thesis: John was
not "The Light" but he was a
necessary "light".
Introduction: In our study last week we considered John the Baptizer's presence and ministry as miraculous, specific, and critical. God did not create John in Elizabeth's womb, send him as His representative, and make him the "agent of the faith of all men who believe" just to do it. His coming was prophesied, his coming was determined, his coming was necessary, and his coming was for the purpose of making "faith in Jesus" possible.
However, there is a reality about John that we simply must understand. It is the purpose of our study this morning to make it as clear as possible that John "was not The Light".
- I. That One Was Not "The Light".
- A. John wrote this for a reason; his words are not just ink on paper; God never sponsors words which have no significance.
- 1. In Genesis One and Two, when "The Word" uttered the words "Let there be...", those words were instantly fulfilled.
- 2. There were no mis-spoken words from "The Word".
- B. On the heels of telling his readers that it was "through John" that all believe, he now declares the distinction.
- 1. This distinction is between "The True Light" and John's "light".
- a. John 5:35 is clear: John did provide some "light".
- b. But, his "light" was his "witness" (words), not his person or works.
- c. The "True Light" is "The Life" that was in the Word while He was living in the presence of men as a man: 1:4; 1:14 and 9:5.
- 1) What John is saying is that "The Word", Who became flesh and dwelt among us (1:14), spoke words and did deeds (10:25) that were in perfect harmony with each other so that anyone who heard His words and saw His deeds was being subjected to "The True Light" (John 7:46 and 10:41).
- 2) What John the Baptizer did not do was the "works" (10:41). John was "a" light, but he was not "the" Light.
- 2. This distinction is critical.
- a. Men have a strong tendency to take the "instrument" and turn it into the "source".
- 1) The Israelites were guilty of this (3:14) and Numbers 21:8-9 (compared with 2 Kings 18:4).
- 2) John's disciples were guilty of this (1:26).
- b. When men follow this tendency, everything is turned upon its head: God and His "agents" are never to be confused because "faith" depends upon "clarity of Object".
- 1) The "agent" is not to be relied upon as "The One Who Works".
- 2) Biblical "faith" is never in the instrument; it is ever in the "One Who Promises".
- C. John, as good a "witness" as he was, could not even come close to being "The Light".
- 1) Luke 1:15 says of him that he was "filled with the Spirit while yet in his mother's womb", and his ministry would be effective unto "faith" in the Lord his God, and he would prepare a people for the Lord.
- 2) Jesus said of John, "I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he" (Luke 7:28).
- a. This moves "John" above Noah, Job, Daniel, Abraham, David, Solomon, and Hezekiah.
- b. This addresses the condition of those who have literally come into the Kingdom of God as it exists in heaven as "perfected" saints.
- c. The "least" of those so privileged are "miles ahead" of John while he was still upon the earth.
- 3) John, himself, says of himself that he was "not worthy to untie" the "thong of [Jesus'] sandal" (1:27).
- II. BUT He Was A Witness In Regard To "The Light".
- A. As such, he spoke "words" of Truth.
- B. And "Words of Truth" are to be believed, especially John's words because outside of their meaning there is no "faith".
