You are witnesses....

Luke 24: 36 - 48

'Peace be with you'.....They were startled and frightened....'Why are you troubled and why do doubts rise in your minds?' ...he showed them his hands and feet...they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement.

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures......'You are witnesses of these things.'

I was talking with a friend earlier today. We were commenting about the different ways we evangelize to others. There are many 'programs' and some of them are useful in helping Christians move out of their comfort zones to share the gospel with those around them. However, we agreed strongly that apart from imparting the 'facts' about God and salvation in Christ, each and every believer should be a natural 'witness'.

This sounds basic, but what often happens in evangelistic efforts is the focus on sharing 'facts' about Christ. Then the person approached is to make up his or her mind about 'receiving Christ' based on these persuasive 'facts'. Well and good. But we often forget that the journey of faith is a process and more complex than 'repeating the sinner's prayer'.

Jesus reveals himself to us in different ways and each individual first believes in him and then comes to 'know' him (a felt, experiential knowledge) through a living out of the faith. When I look back, I find that the way I have shared my faith with others has changed over the years. It is no longer an evangelistic effort so much as being a witness. The 'facts' are there, but as I share, as I did with my brother recently, it is a witness to the Risen Lord's reality in my life. The facts do speak, but they must be enfleshed in the life of the one who shares the facts.

The Eleven disciples were taken through a process of gradual 'awakening' and then of understanding of the Scriptures. They were startled and fearful when Jesus appeared to them, thinking he was a ghost. Obviously they recognized him but could not believe their eyes. Then as they saw his hands and feet, it seemed too good to be true and they were joyful and amazed yet remained doubtful. As usual, Jesus patiently showed them his reality by eating. Then he opened their understanding of the Scriptures. The journey of faith is one where we come to know our Lord experientially as we allow him to come to us and gradually open our hearts and minds to his reality. There will be occasions of fear and doubt and joyful amazement. Only through our personal experiences of the Risen Lord can we become true witnesses.