When you hear the word “witness” what immediately comes to mind?
For some, the word “witness” is related to a courtroom setting in which a “witness” is brought to the stand and testifies to what they’ve seen and heard in a specific incident. Whereas for others, the word “witness” might carry a negative connotation in which someone is pushing another to be convinced of a certain way of believing, or a certain way of life.
There’s a whole spectrum of what it means to “witness” and what it means to be a “witness.” So when Jesus tells us in our Gospel reading from this past Sunday that we are “witnesses” of these things, what does that mean? And, what have we witnessed?
Well, going back to the courtroom analogy, to be a witness for Jesus is testify to what we have seen, heard, and experienced. That may be pointing to the story of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. But even more so, we are called to testify to how we, ourselves, have experienced God’s resurrection in our lives. That is, we are called to give voice to how Christ has freed us, how God has surrounded us with peace, and how the Spirit has liberated us to new life…perhaps in ways we can’t even imagine. In short: we are called to testify to the ways that God is still moving and working within us, within the church, and within the world. That is our witness today.
So as we move into the season of Easter, I invite you to consider for yourself: what story would you share about how Christ has given you new life? Or, what experience might you share in which God’s faithfulness to you was palpable? And as an extension of your personal reflection, I also invite you to consider: what stories you would point to that illustrate God’s continued work through this congregation, Shepherd of the Cross. I am convinced that God is still moving among us, and is ever breathing new life into us. So, if that is the case, how might we witness to what God is doing, here in this place?
God is up to something, even when we cannot percieve it, and even when we cannot understand it. But guided by the Spirit, and drawn into the presence of Christ, we trust that we will be given language to articulate what it is that we’ve experienced and given language to articulate the impact of Jesus Christ on our lives.
So what does it mean to be a witness? It means to testify. And what are we witnessing to? Sure, we are witnessing to Christ. But we do so by witnessing to the power of Christ within our lives, within the world, and within the church…ever moving and ever rejuvenating us, day after day.