Chapter 12.

The Apostle John’s

Overture To Witnessing

 

The Apostle John interrupted his account of the life of Jesus with a brief “overture” to his  Gospel presentation.  Most of us can read it aloud or recite it in one minute.  Yet, it is powerful.  John may have recited it to unsaved men and women, hoping to interest them in hearing more about Jesus.  Just as an overture to a musical presentation weaves together the themes of the ensuing production, John’s overture debuts intriguing information about Christ and the Gospel.  The King James Version of this evangelistic tool is a literary masterpiece.  John wrote ...

... [Jesus] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

(John 1:9-14 KJV)

 

Let’s analyze this passage, word by word and phrase by phrase.

 

Jesus was the true Light ...

Jesus is absolute truth.  Some say, “You have ‘your truth’ and we have ‘our truth’”.  No!  Jesus came from Heaven to Earth to enlighten us -- to teach us God’s absolute truth.  That’s why we call Him “The Word” -- the Communication from God.  Many claim to speak truth, but where their teachings differ from those of Jesus, they are wrong.

 

Jesus lighteth every man that cometh into the world ...

All things were made by Jesus.  They still are.  When a man is conceived, Jesus places a “spirit” into him.  It has two parts, his conscience and his will.  Initially, God’s Laws are written on his conscience.  It is enlightened.  But as the man matures, he exercises his free will and alters his conscience.  In fact, he can kill it and become spiritually dead.  Darkness can extinguish the Light he possessed at his birth.  Only Christ can bring it back to life.

 

He was in the world ...

He came to Earth in the closing days of B.C. 5, and He returned to Heaven in May of A.D. 30.

 

The world was made by Him ...

All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.

 

The world knew Him not ...

“World” in this phrase refers to much more than the planet we inhabit.  It includes our bodies, sentience, emotions, knowledge and thoughts -- and, mankind’s institutions, laws, literature, events and media.  The overwhelming majority of these worldly entities have nothing to do with  Jesus.  Largely, the world ignores Jesus.

 

He came unto his own, and his own received Him not ...

Jesus descended from the splendor of Heaven, took the form of a man, and lived among us.  In general, He was not well received.  But, thank God, many “true” Jews and Gentiles did receive Him.  They formed the early Church.

 

As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God ...

Those who received Jesus warmly were empowered by the Holy Spirit.  They believed Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God.  They repented, vowing to live godly lives.  They were baptized, showing others that their sins had been washed away by Jesus.  They became sons and daughters of God, members of the family of God.

 

Even to them that believe on His name, which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God ...

“Even to them” is a King James era expression that should now read, “In particular those”.  Therefore, the essence of this passage is, “Those who believe in the name of Jesus are born ‘again’ of God -- not by the interaction of men and women.  When a man is born again of God, his conscience is refreshed.  God’s Laws are re-written there.  His spirit is revived, and the Holy Spirit comes to live in him to guide him and protect him. 

 

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth ... 

God sent a Message to us, the Word, wrapped in human flesh, Jesus.  And, John said, “Jesus was a glorious Man.”  Remember, He was the Second Adam.  He was created directly by God and placed in Mary’s womb.  Like Adam, He had perfect DNA.  So, He was physically handsome and athletic.  And, John noted, “He was full of grace -- and full of truth.”  He lived a sin free life.  And, He died on the Cross to give us a way to be absolutely sin-free.

 

 

Have You Composed an Overture

You Can Use as a Witnessing Tool?

 

John’s Overture is wonderful but too encumbered by King James English to be used today.  His concept is great.  We all need a one minute statement we can voice to spark an interest in Jesus within those with whom we speak.

 

Why not write one?  Keep it to 120 words or less.