Power to witness

May 4, 2007

By Gary Rogers

During the 40 days following His resurrection, Jesus showed himself with many undeniable proofs. We don’t know exactly what these “infallible proofs” from Acts 1:3 are, but we do know they included “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (NKJV).

Can you imagine sitting in a meeting where Jesus was speaking after His resurrection? Wow, I’d love to just sit and listen! Right now I can think of a list of questions I’d like to ask, but I know if I were there with Him the meeting would be filled with such awe of His presence there would be no questions asked. I would just sit with mouth opened, eyes glued on Him, and a heart flowing with love.

According to Acts 1:8, when Jesus was assembled with them He taught, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” With Jesus standing in front of them, His nail-scarred hands very visible each time He gestured as He spoke, it would have been so stirring to hear Him say these words.

It would be one of those times you couldn’t help but stand up and shout, “Yes, Lord, I want anything I can have to be a powerful witness for You!” Seeing the visible evidence of His incredible love sacrifice would compel any of His followers to declare allegiance to Him and an unshakable devotion to tell everyone about Him.

Though it has been more than 2,000 years since that evidence was so openly displayed by Jesus, the passion to be His witness should be just as compelling today as it was then. No, we can’t see Jesus. No, we don’t get to sit in a meeting where Jesus is the special speaker. No, we can’t gaze upon His scarred hands today.

But, the same power given to His witnesses back then is still available today. Just as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives with boldness, knowledge, understanding, tact, charisma, timing, and compassion that all add up to power! This power is to be a witness for Him.

Let’s keep what Easter represents more than just a one-Sunday-a-year celebration. It is the greatest life-changing message everyone should be given an opportunity to hear.

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.