Be my Witnesses - Rev. Christopher Shabu

‘But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). The striking prediction, which brings forth an ultimate imperative seen in this verse, is the phrase ‘be my witnesses’. Let’s examine this further:

Meaning of witnessing: Mission is actually what God does through us in this world, not what we do for God. The second one is oriented with man made strategies where the first one is authored and on the progress with God. ‘Expression’ or ‘Witnessing’ are two forms, but ‘Emptying oneself’ is the content. Matter or message for witnessing: The stuff for witnessing is Jesus and what He is for the world.

This Jesus was in existence before Adam, during first centaury and is still living now. So, Christ is more than a saviour and more than a Jewish Jesus…. He is lord of everything to interpret Christ with an ancient perspective, He is not no more… He is alive mightily, really abundantly. So, we are called to witness a contemporary Jesus, who is aware of our postmodern events and details.

Model for witnessing: Not any one else, but Jesus is our model. The historical Jesus was in essence and existence a perfect witness. Existence is actually the spending of essence for Jesus, witnessing was more ‘being’ than ‘doing’. He emptied himself cent percent so that his father’s glory may be shown to the world. Merit for witnessing: Never one can witness the divinity of Jesus besides the aid of Holy Spirit.

The power of the Holy Spirit is profusely given to the one who is accepting his inability to witness by his own power. Emptying oneself is another paramount demand, for always human will is prone to be in contrary with divine will, which is perfect. In essence and existence we must be witnesses. In the matter of witnessing ‘being’ is actually a virtue. Majesty of witnessing: Is it not sublime to witness a God? Are we not fortunate to be endowed with a divine commission to witness Christ Jesus? Surely, we are. It is hard to comprehend. Why does God participate these fragile men in his magnificent business? Why does this almighty god use my frail organs for his divine activity? Unfailing love… unfailing love… unfailing love is the only answer.

The blessed hope we have plunges us into mirth reminding the future blessedness of his witnesses. Emptying is the essence when ‘expression’ and ‘witnessing’ are the forms. The contemporary Jesus is the stuff to be witnessed and Jesus is the model for witnessing. The power of Holy Spirit and bearing the cross are the merits. When it is sure that witnessing is sublime and rewarding, shall we obey Jesus as He calls us: ‘and Jesus came to them and speak unto them, saying, all authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world’ (Mt. 28:18-20).