You are witnesses to Jesus

READ:  1 Chronicles 27-29; Proverbs 30; Acts. 2:14-47

SCRIPTURE: Acts. 2: 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it

OBSERVATION: Before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter thought of himself that he was a strong follower of Jesus; and he was ready even to die for Jesus. However, at a crucial juncture, Peter disowned, denied the Lord that he knew nothing about Jesus Christ (Mt.26:33, 69-75; Mk.14:29, 66:72; Lk.22:33, 54-62; Jn.13:37; 18:15-27).  In Acts 2, we see a different and transformed Peter who confidently proclaims the Gospel of Jesus and his resurrection. He fearlessly preached that God raised Jesus, who was crucified by the Jews, from the dead. The same Peter who denied Jesus out of fear was boldly saying that “it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” and “God has raised this Jesus to life”; After a few days, he preached, “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead” (3:15). On both of these occasions, he was not reluctant to identify himself with Jesus. Instead, he declares, “we are all witnesses.” 

Witnessing Christ is a major theme in Acts; each chapter testifies how the apostles and the early church gave witness to the Lord Jesus Christ. What brought this dramatic change in Peter’s words and others’ life. As we read in Acts 2:1-4, apostle Peter, other disciples, and all who gathered in the upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit. Before his ascension, Jesus asked his disciples to wait in Jerusalem to receive the promised gift of the Father and said that they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit and would become his witnesses, from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:4-8). For more than a week, from the day of Jesus’ ascension to the day of Pentecost, Peter and others (a group of 120 people ) spent their time in prayer. They all received the power of the promised Holy Spirit and became mighty witnesses of Jesus Christ. In the past, we may have failed to stand and live for the Lord as we desired. However, when we receive the strength from above, the Holy Spirit gives us his anointing to do what God wants to do through us. We, too, are witnesses to Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus said, “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.” Are we witnesses to Jesus?  We may still need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Like Peter and other disciples received, all who wait for the Lord receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION: The risen Lord Jesus Christ continues to touch and transforms the lives of many people even today. He is the unchanging Lord. He empowers me with his Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to others. I am a witness to Jesus Christ, not by my strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is alive; he is the author of my life.

PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit to overcome my weaknesses and to proclaim the Gospel. Thank you for calling me to be a witness to your grace. God, fill me with your Spirit to preach the Gospel and lead people to receive your forgiveness and salvation. Amen.

 - Arputharaj Samuel

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