2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Ruth 2:1-4:22 ESV, John 4:43-54 ESV, Psalm 105:16-36 ESV, Proverbs 14:26-27 ESV
Daily Verse: “(For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.)” (John 4:44 ESV)
MARTUREO (3140): “As a verb, denotes “to be a marus (3144), or “to bear witness to,” sometimes rendered “to testify”: It means to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration. It is used of the witness of God the Father to Christ.” [I]
Bear Witness
Testifying means telling others what you know. Jesus knew people who know us best struggle to see the change in us. The people of Jesus’ hometown didn’t believe in Him. His neighbors couldn’t see Jesus as anything but a carpenter. Those we know best remember us most for our mistakes, not thinking we can change.
The Gospels represent the written testimonies of those who knew and experienced life with Jesus. People agreed the events occurred. Faith in Jesus grounds itself in the truth of His existence on earth. People told what they knew; the story never changed through the ages.
Tell everyone
Honor Jesus by telling people what you know about Him. Share how Christ works in your life. When you look for Jesus, you will find Him in unique ways.
Raised in a Christian home, I’ve known Jesus all my life. However, I turned my back on Him for over a decade. As an adult, choosing to follow Jesus became the best decision I’ve ever made. With a sinful past, His open arms gave me a second chance, one I didn’t think I deserved.
Everyone needs a second chance, and a third, and a fourth…Jesus waits with open arms. Reminding people of Christ’s love for them gives them a place to turn to in their darkest moments. You never know what God will do with the seeds you plant, but nothing grows if we don’t plant seeds. God multiplies our acts of love far beyond our wildest imagination.
Some people will struggle more than others; keep loving them. Don’t take offense or abuse. As my husband loves to say, recognize the situations “above my pay grade.” In other words, some people need professional help. God didn’t call us to save the world; He calls us to love it. Healthy, loving relationships require boundaries; how close the line depends on the relationship and the person.
Testify the truth of Jesus. Tell people what you know.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 157) Thomas Nelson
