The apostles began to witness in Jesus’s name when he left us. They did not preach prosperity, share fear, or reveal hidden secrets. They proclaimed Jesus’s words and deeds in the same spirit that Jesus witnessed. As Jesus spoke on behalf of his Father through the Holy Spirit, I, with all believers, am called to “witness to them” (13) “in Jesus’s name” (12).
Jesus told the results of being his witness. He guaranteed that all his disciples would be mishandled, persecuted, and delivered to religious and social judges for judgment (12). Church history records that all the apostles were martyred. Yet, the love of Christ was always with them. Apostle Paul wrote, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35-37)
More than being here with me, Jesus gives me words and wisdom that none of my adversaries will be able to resist or contradict (15). I am not wise by worldly standards. What I give is what I receive from the Holy Spirit. I share what Christ already said as I tried to follow his example and practically apply his teachings. My place is not to be wise. It is to share and stand firm (19). This is living by faith in Jesus, especially when life crushes the body and soul, and all men hate me because of Jesus (17).
