There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

-Parallel verses:
Hebrews‬ ‭12:1‬
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
‭‭
John’s job was to be a witness. He was a witness to the light. In fact, it is very important to the Apostle John that we understand that John the Baptist was a witness to “the light”. He says the same thing two different ways in succession. To find out about this light, we must go back to verse 4, where it says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” So the light that shines out of The Word (Jesus) is true life. The light is the manifestation of the true life within. Jesus equals life because he created life. Hebrews 1 also tells us he sustains life with his powerful word. John was sent as a witness to the light, which is the outward manifestation of the light of men, the light of the world, Jesus Christ.

So what is an active witness? An active witness tells others about their experiences and interaction with the subject. John told people about his interactions with Jesus and about the light of life inside him.
There are at least two other important passages about witnesses in the New Testament. “[Jesus speaking] He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’(Acts‬ ‭1:7-8‬)

And so we who are disciples and followers of Jesus are all called to be “witnesses”. And the Hebrews 12 passage above refers to those who have gone before us and died as a crowd of witnesses, cheering us on in life. Being a witness is spiritually important. It is how John was described. It is how the Saints of old are described. What actions can I take in life to be described as a witness to Jesus? How do I become an active witness of the gospel? Lord, teach me to be focused on what truly matters in life and not the “fluff” and ambient noise of this world.