Witnesses

Today’s reading: Acts 1

“But 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.” - Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Greek word for witnesses here is martys and can also be translated as ones who testify or (as in Revelation 2:13,17:6) martyrs — those who die because of their witness.

Jesus isn’t starting a business initiative that would lead to the prosperity of His disciples. He is calling them into a dangerous lifestyle of testifying to who He was and what actually took place while He was on the cross.

It would start local (Jerusalem) and would eventually go global (ends of the earth). The rest of Luke’s second work of art (Acts) will unpack this historical witnessing that the first Christians engaged in.

How is your witness?

Who are you reaching with Jesus’ unconditional love?

As you can see, maybe now more than ever, our world is in desperate need of this kind of selfless, sacrificial witness.

🖤✝️🤍