Can I Get a Witness?

Have you ever witnessed something extraordinary? Something that made you stop in your tracks, your heart racing, adrenaline pumping through your veins? Perhaps it was a near-miss on the highway or a breathtaking act of kindness. These moments stick with us, becoming stories we can't help but share.

Now, imagine witnessing something that would change the course of human history.

This is precisely what happened nearly two thousand years ago when a group of ordinary people became eyewitnesses to the most extraordinary events in history. Their testimony, carefully recorded and preserved, forms the foundation of the Christian faith and continues to impact millions of lives today.

The book of Acts, written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, provides a compelling account of these eyewitnesses and their experiences. Luke, a historian and physician, emphasizes the importance of accurate, verifiable information. He writes, "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word" (Luke 1:1-2).

This isn't mythology or wishful thinking. Luke presents us with a historical account, rooted in the testimony of those who saw events unfold with their own eyes.

So, what exactly did these eyewitnesses see?

First and foremost, they encountered Jesus Christ – a real, historical person. Born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, Jesus lived during the reigns of King Herod and Pontius Pilate. He taught profound truths about God's kingdom and performed miracles that defied explanation. But it was what happened next that truly shook the world.

These eyewitnesses saw Jesus crucified, a brutal Roman execution method. They watched him die and be buried in a guarded tomb. But on the third day, something unprecedented occurred – Jesus rose from the dead, appearing to his followers over a period of forty days.

Luke writes in Acts, "After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3).

This wasn't a ghost story or a mass hallucination. Jesus ate with them, allowed them to touch his resurrected body, and continued to teach them. The eyewitnesses were initially filled with doubt and fear, struggling to comprehend what they were experiencing. Yet, as the reality sank in, their doubt transformed into wonder and eventually unshakeable conviction.

The climax of these appearances came when Jesus ascended into heaven before their very eyes. Luke records, "He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight" (Acts 1:9). This miraculous event left the disciples staring into the sky, awestruck by what they had witnessed.

But Jesus didn't leave them without purpose. He commissioned them to be his witnesses, spreading the news of what they had seen and experienced "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). This wasn't just a local message for Israel; it was a world-changing proclamation for all of humanity.

The eyewitnesses took this charge seriously, even in the face of intense persecution. They dedicated their lives to sharing what they had seen, heard, and experienced. Many ultimately gave their lives for this testimony – a powerful argument for its authenticity. After all, who would die for a lie they had invented?

Their accounts, carefully recorded in the New Testament, provide us with a reliable historical record of these earth-shattering events. The Gospels and the book of Acts aren't mere folklore; they are the eyewitness testimony of those who walked and talked with the resurrected Jesus.

This brings us to a crucial point: Christianity is not based on blind faith or wishful thinking. It is rooted in historical events, testified to by eyewitnesses, and open to investigation. The apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, even lists specific individuals and groups who saw the risen Christ, many of whom were still alive at the time of his writing (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

What does this mean for us today?

First, it means we can approach the Bible, particularly the New Testament, with confidence. These aren't fairy tales or legends that developed over centuries. They are the carefully preserved accounts of those who saw extraordinary events unfold before their eyes.

Secondly, it challenges us to seriously consider the claims of Christianity. If Jesus truly rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, it has profound implications for our understanding of reality, purpose, and eternity.

Finally, it invites us to become part of this ongoing story. The book of Acts doesn't conclude with a neat ending. Instead, it leaves us with a sense that the work Jesus began continues through his followers today. We, too, are called to be witnesses – sharing not only the historical facts but also our personal experiences of how encountering Jesus has transformed our lives.

The eyewitnesses of the first century experienced doubt, wonder, and ultimately renewed purpose. They gathered in constant prayer, waiting for the promised Holy Spirit to empower them for their mission. In many ways, we find ourselves in a similar position today. We may struggle with doubts, we may be filled with awe at God's work in our lives, and we too are called to a great purpose – continuing to spread this life-changing message to the ends of the earth.

As we reflect on the power of eyewitness testimony, let's consider our own lives. What have we witnessed of God's work? How has encountering Jesus changed us? And how can we effectively share our testimony with a world that desperately needs hope?

The story that began two thousand years ago continues today. We are not merely reading about ancient history; we are invited to be active participants in God's ongoing work of redemption and transformation. Let us, like those first eyewitnesses, be filled with wonder, overcome our doubts, and step out in faith to share the greatest news the world has ever known.