Luke chapter 1 verses 1-4 (NIV)
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. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
John Chapter 17 verses 20-23 (NIV)
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John chapter 20 verse 29 (NIV)
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Romans Chapter 8 verse 34 (NIV)
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
The Jews were told by the Lord to make sure that they passed on to their children all that God had done for them and taught them. Luke tells us that in New Testament times many who had had their own first-hand accounts with Jesus and had seen all that He had done, had sought to do the same. And that must have had an impact on Luke. He was not Jewish, nor do we know that he had seen any of the work of Christ first hand. But he heard about it, and he must have seen the impact that it had on other people’s lives. He would himself go on to experience the coming of the Holy Spirit and all that He did to ensure the good news was spread throughout the world. But Luke was careful and sensitive; he made sure to investigate thoroughly and then write down all that he’d learned. He goes into great detail and his desire to know the truth has meant that we too can know the certainty of the truth of the work of Christ.
Our stories and our accounts of the work of Jesus in us and the moving of the Holy Spirit in our hearts should make an impact on those around us. We are among those who Jesus Himself speaks to Thomas about, and just as the Jews had a responsibility to tell their children about God’s hand on them, so also do we.
Some people find it easier to do that than others but that doesn’t mean those of us who find it hard to do have an excuse for not doing so. After all, Jesus Himself, prayed for us and still intercedes for us. He sent us the Holy Spirit to give us the very words to say. If we will but be obedient to the directing of the Holy Spirit therefore, telling our story may be the very means by which others can become certain that the work of Christ is true. That may be an immense responsibility, but its also a wonderful privilege. I know I’m forever grateful for the courage and boldness of my friends Joyce and Jean as the shared their faith with our class in the High School Community Wing on a Friday afternoon many moons ago, which ignited my own desire to know the truth.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the obedience of those two girls 45 years ago that impacted my life. May my testimony impact others still and may I be willing to share Your word with those who need to know the certainty of the truth that is found in the Gospel. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.