He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.
3 sermons cite this verse
… and the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The question we have is, is that worth the wait? Like, is what God has done, is that worth the wait? Because think about this, from the beginning of the story, from the actually very first story. Here's Genesis chapter one and two, chapter three, everything falls apart. But in the midst of Genesis chapter three, Genesis chapter three, verse 15, God promises, he promises that there is going to be one who crushes the head of the serpent. There is gonna be one who restores all things. And then the whole rest of the story is people waiting from Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob, to the judges, to the kings, to the divided kingdom, to the civil war, to exile, through all the whole entire story, all the way to Jesus. is that worth the wait? I was thinking about, you know, this, think of right now, Christmas Day. I think a lot of us, we get really excited. …
… He's referring to John the Baptist. This man came for a witness to bear witness of the light that all through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light which gives light to every man coming into the world." Now this metaphor of light and darkness is not found simply in the New Testament or in Christian literature, but it's found in other sources and other philosophies, and it was certainly one of the favorite metaphors of the philosopher Plato. Some of you may remember from your studies in college or even in high school of having read The Republic of Plato that Plato has a famous analogy or a parable where he tells the story of slaves who are confined to their quarters within a cave. and there's a little fire going in the cave, but these men are tied up in there, and the only light that they have is a vague light that reflects shadows on the wall of the cave. …
But the darkness did not comprehend it. And He introduces John and says, John came for a witness, to bear witness to the light. He wasn't the light, but He was the witness to the light, the light that was the true light that gives light to every man that comes into the world. And again, this awful judgment. He was in the world. The world was made through Him, but the world didn't even know Him. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. Many years ago, I was being interviewed by Dr. James Montgomery Boyce in Philadelphia for his radio program. And we were talking about John 3.16. Everybody knows what that says. God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son. Whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jim goes on to say to me, he says, R.C., everybody knows John 3.16. He says, what's John 3.17 say? John 3.17. That He sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but through the world, through Him should be saved. …