Be My Witnesses
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1: 8) New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
One asked to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its having taken place. One that gives evidence specifically: one who testifies in a cause or before a judicial tribunal. One who has personal knowledge of something. Something serving as evidence or proof. Public affirmation by word or example of usually religious faith or conviction. Attestation of a fact or event : testimony. All these are definitions of the word Witness, that I found looking in a dictionary.
Jesus has called his disciples to follow him and make disciples of all nations, but here in this passage of Acts, just before being lifted up to the heavens, he called his disciples to a higher ground: “To be his Witnesses, to the ends of the earth.” Being witness of Jesus Christ implies to have knowledge and most of all, have a relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This relationship will help us to live in sanctifying grace and, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will be able to witness, to testify of God’s love and mercy in every circumstance and situation in life. This is what the early disciples did, even offering their lives as martyrs for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are living in difficult times with the pandemic of Covid-19 and its implications, racial injustices, natural disasters, and in the midst of elections that have polarized this nation, and for these such times, God calls us and empowers us with the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses.
Prayer: Gracious and loving God, these are difficult times. By your Holy Spirit help us to be your witnesses in our communities. Witnesses of your love, peace, and justice. In Jesus Christ, our Lord we pray, Amen!
The peace of Christ be with you,
Pastor Jorge,
May this devotion provide you with a moment of faithful reflection and care. You are involved in ministries of justice and witness, in ministries of standing up and standing with people working to create better systems and communities, in ministries of learning and searching and researching to become more aware and awakened, more technologically savvy and proficient, more virtually and personally present in your churches and communities and world. Each of us who serve as members of your Wisconsin Cabinet write these devotions in grateful prayer for you – for sustenance and buoyancy, for strength and courage, for safety and just actions, and for faith and love to be full and fulfilled in your daily lives. God’s grace and blessings, God’s challenge and healthy discomfort, God’s Spirit and energy be with you, in the hope Christ offers us all.
¡Sean mis Testigos!
Pero recibiréis poder cuando haya venido sobre vosotros el Espíritu Santo, y me seréis testigos en Jerusalén, en toda Judea, en Samaria y hasta lo último de la tierra. (Hechos 1: 8) Versión Reina Valera 1995
Uno que esta presente en una transacción para poder testificar que se esta llevando a cabo. Uno que da una evidencia especifica; uno que testifica de una causa en un tribunal judicial. Uno que tiene un conocimiento personal de algo. Algo que sirve de evidencia o prueba. Una afirmación publica de palabra o ejemplo, usualmente de una fe religiosa o convicción. Testificar de un hecho o evento: TESTIMONIO. Todas estas son definiciones de la palabra Testigo que yo encontré en el diccionario.
Jesus había llamado a sus discípulos a seguirle y a hacer discípulos en todas las naciones, pero ahora en este pasaje de hechos y antes de ser alzado a los cielos, el los llama a un nivel más alto de discipulado, los llama a: “ser sus testigos, hasta lo último de la tierra.” Ser Testigo de Jesucristo implica tener conocimiento y mas que todo, tener una relación con Jesus como su Señor y Salvador. Esta relación nos ayuda a vivir en una gracia santificante y empoderados por el Espíritu Santo podremos ser sus testigos y testificar del amor y misericordia de Dios en toda circunstancia y situación en la vida. Esto es lo que hicieron los primeros discípulos, aun llegando a ofrecer sus vidas como mártires por la proclamación del Evangelio de Jesucristo.
Estamos viviendo tiempos muy difíciles con la pandemia del Covid-19 y sus implicaciones, injusticias raciales, desastres naturales, y en medio de unas elecciones que han polarizado esta nación, y para tiempos como estos, Dios nos esta llamando y empoderando con su Espíritu Santo para ser sus Testigos.
Oración: Dios de gracia y amor, estos tiempos difíciles. Por tu Santo Espíritu ayúdanos a ser tus testigos en nuestras comunidades. Testigos de tu amor, paz, y justicia. ¡En Jesucristo nuestro Señor oramos, Amen!
La Paz del Señor sea con ustedes,
Pastor Jorge