March 9, 2021

John 15:26-27, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

Just before Jesus ascends into Heaven, he confirms in Acts 1:8 that “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.” It should continue to astound us that after the resurrection of Jesus, instead of going on a world-wide speaking tour proving his new life, resurrection, and authority, he says instead, “I’m leaving it to you guys. You will be my witnesses,” he says, and as we’re reminded in the Great Commission in Matthew 28, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.” He is with us, but we will be the witnesses. This is a major call for the Christian - to be a witness. This means that we are to tell the truth about Jesus Christ - about his lordship, deity, and his sacrifice for our salvation. The apostles were witnesses with miracles that accompanied their preaching; this was necessary as they did not have the New Testament to testify to all that Jesus said and did. That apostolic age is now over, the eyewitnesses to Christ’s life and resurrection are long gone, but here we are, to be witnesses in this era. And we do have God’s Word and God’s Spirit to empower us as we uphold the word of truth to a watching world.

This is not to be missed for believers - that we are to be his witnesses, and by this work of spreading the good news, the kingdom expands to that promised “end of the earth.” How are you a faithful witness to the truth of the gospel? Are you proud to call yourself a Christian? Do you have those you pray for, for whom you desire to have their hearts changed by God?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, make me a bold witness to the truth of the gospel. Make me a witness in the way I live my life, in the way I speak about Jesus, and how I approach my friendships with unbelievers. Let me not be an obnoxious Christian, instead let me be a lover of all people that you have made. And make me to be strong as I have opportunities to talk about Christ. Amen.

40 Days of Joy: Snowflakes are amazing! Look at a photo of a snowflake on super-zoom and you will some symmetrical mastery!