We are Jesus’ witnesses

Commentary by Robin G. Jordan


It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:7-8, ESV)


Those of us who have asked Jesus to come into our hearts – our innermost selves - and have received him as our Lord and Savior are his witnesses. A witness is someone who publicly affirms by word and example his belief and faith in Jesus. We have been filled with the Holy Spirit for that purpose. We give testimony to his power and presence in our lives not only through our words but through the way we live our lives. Others can look at our lives and see the real difference Jesus has made in them. I am not talking about attending worship gatherings more than most people although worship is an important part of the life of a disciple of Jesus. I am not talking about becoming more critical of those who are not yet disciples because they do not live the way that we believe that they ought to live. I am talking about really living Jesus’ teachings and trusting in Jesus for the supernatural influence and power to do so – what theologians call grace. When someone meets us, they meet Jesus because Jesus is so evident in our words and in our lives. We become living icons of Jesus – windows through which both disciples and those not yet disciples can see the Divine – that Supreme Being we call God, the One to whom our souls, all that we are, cries out Abba, Father.

Being a witness to Jesus means we cannot separate ourselves from the world. We must live in the world while at the same time not becoming so immersed in the world that we are unrecognizable from those who are not followers of Jesus. We must seek the friendship of those who are not yet disciples and not limit our relationships to those who already follow Jesus. We cannot be salt and light in the world as Jesus calls us to be if we keep ourselves apart from the world (Matthew 5:13-14). We can cut up vegetables and put them in a pot with some water and simmer them for a while. However, they will not have any flavor unless we add a little salt. The salt helps to bring out the flavor of the vegetables and turns them into a savory stew. This is one of the roles that we as disciples of Jesus and witnesses to Jesus play in the world. We are to add savor to the lives of those around us. Just as salt that has lost its taste is not good for anything, neither is salt that never leaves the salt shaker. It absorbs moisture, clumps together and eventually must be thrown away.

We are also to be bright lights shining in the dark places. Our lives must focus attention upon God and bring honor to His name. As Jesus himself points out, a light serves no purpose if we hide it (Matthew 5: 14-16; Mark 4:21; Luke 11.33). It must be placed so that all may benefit from its light.

To be true witnesses to Jesus, we must devote time and energy to forming friendships with those who are not yet disciples – real friendships. We must seek them where they may be found and not expect them to come to us. This is what Jesus himself did. He did not sit back waiting for people to come to him. He went among the people, seeking out those who needed him the most, those who needed what he alone can give – healing, forgiveness, salvation, wholeness, meaning to life. We must show them the same love that Jesus has shown us. We must genuinely care for them, share their troubles as well as their triumphs, just as Jesus would have us share ours with him.

As witnesses to Jesus we must learn to listen – to let our non-Jesus follower friends do the talking and not jump in with our own opinions and views. While we may not agree with what they say, we must show our willingness to listen to them and to what they are saying. The advice of the apostle Paul to the Colossians is worth remembering: "Conduct yourself wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (Colossians 4:5-6). As we listen to them, we should also seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and be sensitive to the Spirit’s promptings. When the conversation turns to spiritual things and we have an opportunity to share with them the gospel, we should not reject them if they do not immediately respond as we would like them to see them respond. We should remain their friend, being there for them whenever they need someone. We may be the only person through whom they experience God’s love. We should pray for them everyday, asking the Holy Spirit to draw them closer to Jesus. God may, in his time, use us or another to lead them to His Son.

O Glorious One, you humbled yourself and became human like us that we might be reconciled to God. Fill us, we pray, with the love that sent you into the world. May those who see us see only you. May those who hear us hear only you. This we ask in your name as you have taught us to pray. May it be so.