We Get To

Throughout the ministry of Christ, His followers watched very carefully so that they too might learn and even hopefully do the works that He had done. They were excited and looked forward to partnering with their Lord to be about the work of the Father. Then, after the crucifixion and resurrection, we would think that those opportunities were over and from that point on they were on their own. But this is not the case. If we were to go to Acts 1:3, we would see something amazing. “To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.”

So, for forty days after the resurrection, the Lord continued to teach and train His followers. The question we may ask is what was He training and teaching them about? We see this in verse 8, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” There are two very important phrases used in this text that apply to every follower of Jesus even today. First, “You will.” This is what we call a definite statement. They were going to, just like us today, receive the Holy Spirit. This goes back to an old truth: if Jesus says it’s going to happen, it will happen. When we ask Christ to forgive us of our sin and give our lives to Him, we immediately receive the Holy Spirit.

There are many reasons and purposes for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. One of those is going to be the second phrase from this text; that too is a definite statement. “You shall be My witnesses.” My friends, this is not a maybe or could be; this is a get to be. We get to be witnesses for the King of all kings. We get to tell others of His greatness, His love, and grace, and the ability for everyone to get to know Him and, through Christ, receive eternal life.

Now, in keeping the spirit of this opportunity, this is not a have-to. If we have the heart of having to do something, it no longer comes from a heart of love, but from a heart of resentment. Is it possible that a follower of Jesus resents this beautiful opportunity to be His witness?

It is understandable at times to be nervous about sharing Jesus with strangers, even friends and family, but just remember, you get to. In fact, Jesus gives us a strategy. First, we get to be witnesses to our community (Jerusalem). Second, we get to be witnesses to our country (Judea). Third, we get to be witnesses to our continent (Samaria). Lastly, we get to be witnesses to the whole world.

I pray our hearts are not one of resentment toward this wonderful opportunity, but a heart of gratitude that we get to be witnesses for our Savior and Lord.