John 1:7
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
Being a witness is a very important theme in the book of John. Today we associate it with courts and criminals. Perhaps we imagine someone telling a story of what happened in cases where there isn’t any CCTV or other proof of who committed the crime.
In ancient times, without phones, internet or even being able to read and write, telling stories was the only way most people could share both good and bad news with other people. For some people, being a messenger was a full-time job!
John the Baptist’s role here is to tell everyone about the light that has arrived and in all the stories we have about Jesus, it’s clear that it was difficult to shut Him up! He wants everyone to hear the good news that the one they have been waiting for has finally shown up.
In the Bible, (especially in the book of John) there are plenty of witnesses – John is not on his own. There are women and men and kids and people from all different places and backgrounds who meet Jesus, believe in Him and then go and tell others.
