A Credible Witness
Today's Verse:
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. ~John 1:6-7
Our judicial system places great value on the credible testimony of a witness. A witness is someone who gives a first-hand account of an event or incident that he saw or heard. He is someone who was actually present and saw the event occur. His testimony as a witness must be compelling and convincing for a jury to make a strong decision. This morning, we are considering a man who is called more than once a witness. This morning, we are looking at how John the Baptist is a powerful example of a credible witness.
We see the message in his witness.
In John 1:15-17, 29-34 we have the record of John’s message as he gave witness of Jesus. His message included that Jesus is unmistakingly the Son of God. As the Son of God, He has all the same attributes of God because Jesus is God. His message pointed to Christ in His atonement for the sins of the world. Jesus is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. There is no other person or possibility for sin to be taken away except through Christ’s shed blood and death on the cross. His message gave evidence of the mercy and justice of Christ. He said that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. His grace is the undeserved love that reaches out to every sinner and invites him to be saved. His truth reveals our sinful nature and that our sin must be punished. Because Jesus took the place of every sinner on the cross, His grace reaches out to us to accept Him as our Savior. A credible witness is marked by the consistent and convicting message that he preaches about the Lord Jesus.
We see the meekness in his witness.
John said, “He that cometh after me is preferred before me.” On another occasion, John said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” In effect, John was humble and meek in his witness of Jesus. John had a large following of people who received his baptism of repentance. However, John did not try to receive glory and praise for any popularity that he had. He pointed men to Jesus! He deflected any praise that he received to the Lord Jesus. A credible witness is marked by the meekness that he demonstrates in his witness.
We see the mortality in his witness.
John knew that he was there only for a “season.” He was very aware of his mortality and that his life was a vapor that quickly vanishes away. A credible witness knows that he does not have much time, and it is imperatively important that he redeems the time because the days are evil. A credible witness does not waste time. A credible witness treats every opportunity as his last one. He knows he must work the works of Him Who sent him while it is day. “The night cometh, when no man can work.”
We see the motivation in his witness.
Jesus describes the witness of John as a burning and shining light. He was on fire all the time. He was a prophet who came in the Spirit and power of Elijah. He kept the fuel of his life adequately supplied. He kept the wick in his life ready for burning. Opposition did not deter him. Comparison did not deter him. Hatred did not deter him. Loss of popularity did not deter him. Diminishing results did not deter him. No, John was a man who shined brightly for the gospel!
We see the mission in his witness.
John’s mission was that all men through him might believe. He told two of his disciples that Jesus was the Lamb of God, and immediately the two disciples followed Jesus. He sought to get as many people as possible to Jesus. A credible witness is not satisfied until everyone whom he is in contact with believes on Jesus as Savior.
John was a powerfully credible witness. He is an example to us on how to effectively witness about Jesus. Consider John as a model for your witness, and apply his methods to your witness and see what the Lord will do.
Have a soul-conscious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Lamentations 1-2
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