Witness

Since Easter Sunday, I have been reading passages from the Gospels that take place after the Resurrection, yet before the Ascension. Today I came across this thought from Jesus.

"You are witnesses of these things". Luke 24:48

Jesus, in one of His final teachings with His disciples, tells them they are witness of His life, death, and resurrection. Not only are they witnesses, but they are supposed to go and be a witness of these events to the world. So what does it mean to be a witness for Jesus?

First, the word witness, in the Greek, is where we get our word "martyr" from. This truth of being a witness was very real for the disciples. All of the disciples, in fact most of those who were witness to Jesus life, all paid the price with their lives. All of Jesus disciples became martyrs. They gave up their life becasue they were pro-claimers of the good news.

Second, Richard Peace defines witness as being a Christian. He states, "witnessing is just being honest as a Christian. Witnessing is simply being true to what God has done and is doing in your life". Being a witness is being a person who is transparent with others with the work of God in our lives. This can be showing repentance. This can be through ministering to others in grace. This can be genuine forgiveness when sinned against. This genuine witness is showing others the work the Holy Spirit is doing through sanctification.

Lastly, when we hear the word witness, we think of a witness in a courtroom. The witness is someone who tells the truth of what they saw or heard during a specific event. The witness will answer questions they are asked. They relay information that is important. And they will get specific about certain details they remember. A Christian is a witness in the event of what Jesus has done for them and to them. A Christian is a witness of the radical change Jesus life and death did for them.

Being a witness is not hard. It is simply living a life of holiness before God and the world and making sure others hears the good news through our mouths. Yes, being a witness comes at a price. Being a witness has serious sacrifice. Being a witness takes courage. But all Christians can and must be witnesses of the work Jesus is accomplishing through them by the work He accomplish while He lived and died on this earth. Being a witness is serious Christian business. The question is, are we being a witness of Christ or another god we are worshiping?