It has been heartbreaking to watch a parade of public Christian leaders pervert power or relinquish their faith. How can we maintain faith in Christ when respected leaders break our trust?

No religious leader was more influential when Jesus began his ministry than John the Baptizer. Crowds flocked from towns near and far to find him in the wilderness near the Jordan. He was dressed wildly, with a garment made of camel’s hair tied with a leather belt (Johnny Depp had nothing on him), and he ate a bizarre diet of locusts and wild honey (Gwyneth Paltrow, take note). Jesus declared that “among those born of women, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matt. 11:11). Some whispered that this must be the Messiah. But he was not.

The apostle John explains, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light” (John 1:6-8). Jesus explains that John the Baptist is fulfilling Malachi’s prophecy, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you” (Matt. 11:10).

John the baptizer’s special vocation as “witness” is broadened at the conclusion of Jesus’s ministry, first to the apostles and then to us. After Jesus’s resurrection, he says, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:46-48). Jesus repeats this at the beginning of Acts before he ascends to heaven. He says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

We instinctively look for heroes to follow. As a Chiefs fan, I see everything Patrick Mahomes does through rose-tinted glasses. I have my favorite pastoral and theological heroes. There is nothing wrong with that as long as I recognize that those I cheer for and follow are fallible and my trust is not in them. My hope is in no way connected to the faithfulness of Tim Keller or ND Wilson, however much they might encourage or inspire me.

To use John’s language, they are not “the light, but came to bear witness about the light.” Through the power of the Spirit, I pray my life may be the same. I am not the light, but I take great delight in bearing witness about the light.

This Christmas, we are reminded not to confuse proclaimer of truth with the Truth. We naturally long to have our hope embodied, but let us make sure our eyes are set on the only true embodiment of hope and light. Don’t confuse a witness with the revelation.

There is only one God-made-flesh, and we have the joy of celebrating him this Christmas. Because he put on flesh, we can be transformed by him. Because the light shines in the darkness, our dark hearts can be illuminated. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He and no other.

And we get to be his witnesses! We point to the true light to those who are in the dark.

You may also appreciate:

Have You Given Me The Fountain, But Deny Me the Stream?

John 1, Part 1: A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

John 1, Part 2: The Light That Overcomes

John 1, Part 3: Can I Get A Witness

John 1, Part 4: Will You Receive Him?

John 1, Part 5: I Hope Your Advent Is In Tents

John 1, Part 6: Glory Incarnate

Photo by Blake Cheek on Unsplash