Christ’s Witnesses: John the Baptist

“‘If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. You have sent messengers to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was the lamp that was burning and shining, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.’” (John 5:31-35, NASB)

Have you ever seen a trial where the only witness to take the stand is the accused? Have you ever read a research paper where only one source is used? Have you ever made a big purchase based on one review?

No. The trial would be weakly argued, the paper would probably fail due to lack of evidence to support your claim, and one review is not enough to know the full scope of a product.

Most people need lots of testimony before they trust something. It’s just a fact. They need to know all the contingencies and information before they buy in. And Jesus knew this; which is why in John 5, in front of the religious leaders of Jerusalem, He gives four witnesses to His deity and His power as the Son of God. He knew the religious leaders would not be won over or persuaded simply by His saying, “Here I am! I am the Messiah you’ve been waiting for!”

He had to use examples and testimonies that they already trusted in order to help these Pharisees from point A to point B. Of course, they didn’t want to believe Him already, allowing their pride and self-righteousness cloud their reasoning, but the spiritual lesson was still helpful to others listening in

The first witness Jesus calls to the stand is John the Baptist, who was at first widely accepted because the Pharisees liked his message. John stood in the wilderness, baptizing people and telling them that the Messiah was on His way– to be ready for His arrival. Of course the religious leaders liked this message! They thought John meant that the Messiah was coming to do what they anticipated He would do. They thought God was sending Christ to vanquish Rome and set Israel free from the empire’s rule. They thought He was coming on the clouds as a conqueror and a strong, military force.

Instead, John was lighting the way for Jesus to be born as a man who lived a humble, ordinary life, and was sent by God to bring a spiritual revolution rather than a political one. Instead of dealing with Israel’s physical problems, God sent His Son to deal with their hearts and that’s not what these Pharisees wanted.

But John testified of the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John preached the Gospel and that Jesus was coming to baptize in the Spirit. John was not the variable that supplied Jesus’ power through this testimony. Instead, Jesus was sent by God the Father and was Himself God the Father. Jesus’ power and Godship comes from being the Father’s Son and John’s testimony was true simply because He heralded a Godly witness. John was doing what God purposed Him to do, which is to tell people that the Savior was coming. Believing that message and accepting that testimony is what saves.

Jesus relates John to a lamp. He was a light burning and shining and guiding lost people into the Gospel. It’s worth noting that John himself was not the actual light in this metaphor. John was a lamp lit by Jesus’ light and shone that same light to people living in the dark. He simply reflected God’s message to the world and continued in that message until there was nothing left to give. Just the way a flame burns itself out, John continued in God’s purpose for him to spread the news of Jesus until there was nothing left to give of himself to that ministry.

What an example for us to follow. Of course, John 1 encourages us to be lamps as well, shining the light of God’s Gospel to our dark world, and sharing the warmth of that light to those who need it. That means that we would seek the Lord diligently, drawing near to that flame daily, so that we can be ignited and used as a witness to His glorious grace. It means that we would continue to shine, guide, and live out that calling to be a light until there is nothing left for us to give. 

Our ministry to go into the world, tell people about Jesus, and make disciples is never done. We are called to do it until this earthly body gives out. God has commanded us to do it until our ability to be that lamp and flame is done.

And John’s testimony was a valuable first witness in proving Jesus’ claim as the Messiah. Not only was John well known in his ministry to proclaim Christ’s coming and prepare the hearts of the people to receive Him, but he was appreciated by the Pharisees. 

Like I mentioned before, these religious leaders wanted the Messiah to come and fill their agenda and crush the Roman empire. They embraced John’s message because it suited their agenda. They never considered that the Messiah John was heralding was going to show up as an ordinary 30-something Nazarene.

Which begs the question: Do we believe Jesus is who He is? Or do we expect Him to be more extravagant and impressive than He is? Do we want Him to fit a specific mold or idea we have of Him? Do we believe Him when He speaks and makes Himself known to us? 

Do we require Jesus to supply multiple witnesses and to prove Himself using several different sources? Or do we open up our Word, ask Him to reveal Himself to us, and then believe Him solely based on Him?

I would like to think we would. I would like to think that we know enough of God’s Word that we would recognize Him at first glance. I would like to think that we value His spiritual healing and truth over His physical miracle-working and spectacle. I would like to think we’d be like Mary of Bethany, sitting at His feet, soaking up His teachings, and savoring every moment of whatever it is He came to do, however He plans to do it.

His own witness should be enough. His Word should be sufficient evidence to put our trust in Him. But out of His mercy, He’s given us other sources to confirm His Godship and His glory.