Wednesday 27th December
Read John 1:15-18
“(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (NIVUK)
Many think the parenthetical remark concerning John’s testimony to Jesus is accidentally placed here. It sits better with verses 6-8 and it certainly interrupts a perfectly natural reading of verse 14 through to verse 16. Yet if we step back and look at the bigger picture of what John is attempting in introducing his gospel perhaps there is wisdom in placing this comment here.
The first testimony of John was that light was coming into the world, a light that reflects perfectly God’s creative purposes (v6-8). This second testimony of John declares that the glory of the Word (v14) is far greater than his. When people ask what kind of ‘Jew’ Jesus was, what Jewish tradition did He follow, there are many options available. There is the Pharisaic tradition, the priestly tradition (Sadducees) and there were also Zealots. But there was also the ‘Baptiser’ tradition. John was justly famous. Many people followed him. Jesus followed him also – both in endorsing his baptism – but also in terms of ministry. He began after John and was younger than him. All things that would tend, historically, to mean that Jesus was overshadowed by John.
Yet, right at the very beginning, John witnessed to the superior glory of Jesus. He was greater because, even though it may seem like I am before Him, He is truly far before me. That creation light I testified to has come into the world to redeem it. I am merely the last and first witness. The glory of Jesus is truly beyond compare. That is why we have what looks like an interruption but is actually a further witness to His glory!
