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Luke 24:45-49
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

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By: The Rev. Russell E. J. Martin

“You are my witnesses of these things”. What things one might ask? Well of course in the immediate context of Luke’s narrative the Disciples were witnesses to the life, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus. Knowing Jesus should change our lives, our hearts and our attitudes; the difference in who we are in Christ should be clearly evident as compared to who we were prior to knowing Him. One of the greatest blessings and joys we have as Christians is to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and to share the gifts of grace, healing, and freedom that He granted us with others. It always seems that we feel a great burden when we contemplate sharing our faith, when we witness to God and His Kingdom but the truth be told, Christ already did the hard part for us by dying for our sins. St. Paul reminds us that, “if anyone is in Christ, he (or she) is a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17) and if we are indeed a new creation, then we have something to which we can witness—a new life. Notice that not only does Christ commission His Disciples to witness but He also promises them that they will do so only after they have received the Father’s own gift of the Holy Spirit.

When the Lord ascended into Heaven He left the Church with the sacred task of growing the Kingdom of God through their witness in power to the veracity of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The question remains however, how might we witness to the things of God? The answer is startling in its simplicity—We do what Jesus did! We share what Jesus said and minister to others with His same heart and in the same POWER. One critical way we can witness to Christ is through the way we protect and advocate for life from conception through natural death. To stand for life is to stand with Christ and give witness to His love and power to transform each of us from simple hearers of the word to doers as well! (James 1:22)

We have a choice as to how we live and to what and whom we will witness. Somebody is always watching us; what will they say of our witness? Will they recognize us as being authentic followers of Jesus Christ or just another set sanctimonious phonies? There is no greater compliment that a Christian can receive than to have someone say of him or her “I see Jesus in you.” May it be said of you that your witness was such that others no longer simply see you but the Lord Himself through you! This is not for our own gratification but rather for the glory of Christ who calls us both to life and witness.