The Life-Light. The Word Coming Alive Series, Part 3

"There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light." John 1:6-8 (MSG)

John the Baptist had but one purpose: To lead people to the One true light. He had never encountered the Life-Light personally, but once Jesus came to him, John the Baptist, filled by the Holy Spirit, declared: "This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word." John 1:15 (MSG). And as such, John the Baptist testified about Jesus.

He wasn't the only one: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV). The Holy Spirit testified as well that Jesus was the one by descending like a dove from Heaven. In so doing, our Heavenly Father also concurred that Jesus was the one, His very own Son.

This confirms that Jesus is the real Messiah, the real Life-Light. When two or three testify, there is no more doubt: "On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness." Deuteronomy 17:6 (NIV); and "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20 (NIV).

We, too, can confirm the reality of Jesus as well. After all, we are experiencing Him every day!

One of our church members recently died of ovary cancer. She saw some of the early symptoms but thought it was nothing until it was too late. She passed away 10 weeks later.

To God's glory, this lady didn't suffer at all. Rather, she tried to share God's love with everyone she was in contact with. She would refuse to take her medication, for example, unless the attending nurse gave her a hug.

Though she always thought of others first, she was not the Life-Light; but she knew the Life-Light intimately, and this is what touched everyone who cared for her. Jesus was her everything!

Naturally her family grieved, especially her father. When he saw me, he went straight to me and held me for a long time; and I kept him in my arms. After all, he is my friend. I wish I could have done more. Just holding him, however, was all he needed. Here, too, we can testify to the Life-Light. We are inspired by Him to walk in His footsteps, to shine our Jesus-light to the world: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

Rob Chaffart