WITNESSES OF THE RISEN KING

“And YOU ARE WITNESSES of these things” – Luke 24:48

Believers in Christ are called to be WITNESSES of the RISEN KING: “And YOU ARE WITNESSES of these things” (Lk.24:48). Jesus has risen from the dead! Though humiliated, whipped, mocked, crucified, and buried, He arose and is alive! There are indisputable proofs that substantiate this truth. All of Scripture points to Christ. Jesus Himself prophesied that these events would happen. The tomb is empty. His risen body is with hands, feet, flesh, and bones (v.39). And His disciples were transformed from sceptics to bold WITNESSES who were willing to die for the truth that He is the risen King.

Many individual Bible passages speak of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, but ALL of Scripture point to Him: “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (vv.44b-45). Also, the Old Testament speaks of God’s passion for, and calling ALL nations to redemption: “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (vv.46-47). God works in history to glorify His Name by bringing all nations to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.

God redeems wicked, ungodly rebels. He then uses us – redeemed rebels – for His great task: to fill the earth with the knowledge of His glory as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14); to declare His glory among the nations and His wonders among all peoples (Psa. 96:3). God’s promise of the Messiah-King and His heart for the nations come together in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, followed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Our task to proclaim repentance and remission of sins to all nations is a Privilege, accompanying by God’s Power, to produce Unspeakable Joy.

It is a great Privilege to be Christ’s Witnesses: “You are witnesses of these things” (v.48). “These things” refer to the Plan of Redemption as laid out in Scriptures. Being witnesses means more than being an eye-witness of His death and resurrection. The Lord is saying: “You are the ones who must proclaim My message!” We’re not entrusted with a philosophy, dogma, or mere codes of conduct; but we’re Witnesses of the truths of Scriptures – of Jesus crucified for sins and risen from the dead!

There is a Promised Power: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (v.49). We cannot and should not try to fulfil the task on our own. It takes the Power of the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses of Christ: “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” (Acts 1:8). The disciples tarried till Pentecost. The Holy Spirit descended upon them with power, and three thousand souls were saved in one day. We are witnesses. But, it is God who changes hearts. Not our words. Not our methods. Not our fancy appeals.

Unspeakable Joy follows: “And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with GRAET JOY” (v.52). Jesus is risen from the dead! What Joy! We bear witness to the Joy of being in Christ. Communion with the Risen King and being clothed with the power of His Spirit produces Joy that overflows continually into praise. Now, we are ready to invite the nations to enjoy God: “Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!” (Psa. 67:4a). Like Isaiah, the Lord says, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” (Isa. 6:8). Who will be My witness? God is at work, bringing the nations to Himself, for His glory. He gives us the privilege, the power, and the joy to be Witnesses in the fulfilment of His plan. Am I an effective Witness?