Nougat 6

‘Do you swear to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God?’ This phrase some of us grew up with in the 70s and 80s. I don’t remember what it was about – a tv show or series like Perry Mason or Matlock perhaps. But we who are familiar with it, know it’s about being called to the witness stand. Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to a different witness stand.

“You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:48 NIV

There was Jesus, freshly resurrected, and having to convince the disciples that He was Himself. The point of His suffering becomes the Centre of His testimony and proof of His identity as Jesus’ piercings – the holes in his hands and feet – speak for themselves. (Hmmmm I never really thought about that in that way before – have you? That Jesus’ holes were what assured that His disciples would recognize Him!).

But the conversation didn’t end there; thank God! God’s plan through Jesus also requires witnesses to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. For that’s The Incredible Good News of Salvation. The Proof of Jesus’ resurrection. Paul and his cohorts put it succinctly – if Jesus has not risen from death; then our Faith in, and our witness to Jesus’ divinity would be worthless (1 Corinthians 15:14).

Now being proof of, or witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection doesn’t necessarily mean that we walk around with stigmata, thank God. (For some of us are not into piercings of any kind). It simply means that we speak the Truth about Jesus and of His resurrection.

Generally, we speak from our knowledge, experience and convictions. According to Luke, these disciples were operating from firsthand experience. They saw Jesus for themselves (John said even Thomas got to see for himself. See John 20). Folks, this is a big deal! Matthew 28:11-15 is proof that it was a big deal.

Jesus knew that that would happen. That some counter narrative would be circulated. So He commissioned His witnesses. And likewise we have each been commissioned to bear witness to the Truth we know.

Do we know the Truth? Will we witness to the Truth?

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May all we seek be found in Christ