Witness or Witness Protection?

 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8.  Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, he gave the assembled apostles this promise, and the accompanied order, to be witnesses. To be precise, the words spoken by the apostles just before this statement, questioned Jesus on when he would restore his kingdom.  Their primary concern seems to have been the timetable for when Jesus would return to establish his earthly kingdom, and annihilate their enemies.  The idea of going out into a hostile environment, to witness, was not first and foremost in their minds.
 Let’s face it, before Pentecost,  they were a frightened, quaking bunch, seeking more to enter a “Witness  Protection” program, than be witnesses.   I can’t say I blame them, they not only saw the miraculous things Jesus did in his life, but they were there when he died that horrific death on the cross. We all know that changed when the promised comforter, the Holy Spirit, arrived and empowered them.

Being a witness doesn’t mean we pull out a soapbox,  on the courthouse lawn, and start spouting fire and brimstone. Unfortunately, that’s what a lot of Christians, and non-Christians believe.  The noun, witness, is:  “an individual who, being present, personally sees or perceives a thing; a beholder, or spectator.” While we may not have “seen” Jesus, in the same first-hand way that the apostles did, our relationship with him should be as close or closer.  Once we come into relationship with him, and begin growing in, and experiencing his Holy Spirit working through us, that should give us plenty to share with the world in the active verb form of witness! Most people are hesitant to witness because of ridicule, rejection,  coming up against difficult questions, or because they don’t feel it’s their job.

So what does it mean to be a witness, or to witness?  In the most basic sense it’s sharing our own salvation story with the world. People want to know how Christ has effected your life,

on a deeply personal level, not religious, impersonal, prepared doctrinal stuff….just tell your story! Where do you stand as a witness for Christ?  Do you have a story to tell? Are you joyfully spreading the word, or hiding out under a fake mustache in witness protection? Witnessing is not an obligation, or an option, it’s an order to all believers from our Savior. Sharing what you are passionate about is never a dreary forced duty, it’s a free-flowing and exciting account of who you love!