John 1:6-14 WITNESSES. He came with a message – right from God He came from the desert – people would think him odd He came with solemn words – witnessing for the Lord He came and he died – giving men God’s word. His name was “John.”
He came shedding light – to overcome darkness He came lighting every man – that He might bless us He came to His own people – they received not His witness He came, the True Light – revealing God in His fullness. His name is “Jesus.”
He came with a message – passed on to him to carry He came with solemn warnings – “In sin do not tarry.” He came and was consistent – his life and words do not vary He came and spoke truth – his message came clearly His name is “Evangelist.”
His name is of one who Christ personally received His name was written in heaven when on Christ he believed His name is of one who for others must intercede His name is of one from who sin’s burden is relieved. His name is “me.”
“O God, surely John pleased Thee when he came bearing his witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ Himself certainly bore witness of Thee. Peter, Paul: all the apostles and true messengers of Thee have given unmistakable witness to the truth of the Gospel and have seen evidence of its reality in the lives of millions. May I be a true witness of Thee until I am called home to heaven. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
John 1:11, 12. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” RECEIVED. Why would they not receive Him, After all, He was one of their own? What was so strange about Him, Why was He left so alone? What did He do to offend them? Did He not often them bless? What was the reason they left Him? Was it His own righteousness?
When light so bright comes among us, We are not so used to the light. When truth so clear and so righteous, Is given – we who are children of night, Usually flee because of discomfort, For our sin, truth does easily expose. And to face sin, as truth clearly shows it, Leaves us open, with no place to go.
When choices so plainly presented, Are before us, we cannot ignore The light that our darkness made brighter, We are responsible like never before. Will we receive Him whom light does embody? Will we accept what He says as the right?
To receive Him means here, now and always, I surrender my dark to His light.
To receive Him means truth takes the stand; To govern, from now on, my life. It means that whatever my choices - His hand Points the way to what’s right. And whatever I do, I’ve received Him, And from now on, to Him I belong. And my greatest delight is to please Him, For in Him, I’ve all rights as a son.
“O Father in heaven; when Thou didst look down in mercy upon me: I didn’t even know all that had happened, until I had finally ‘received Thy word.’ But then I was enlightened to understand that when I received Thy word and understood He died for me, I was also able to receive Thy Son and be made a child of God. I am brought down low before Thee when I consider my unworthiness and the riches of Thy grace. I know all of us will be showing the “exceeding riches of Thy grace” in the future. I would like to be able to show some of it now out of gratitude; in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”