Can I Get a Witness?

A Reflection on the First Reading for April 17th, 2022:
​The Solemnity of Easter Sunday

---

Acts
10.34a, 37-43

Peter began to speak: “You know the message that spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

“We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead

“He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the Prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
​

This exhortation from Peter happens right after the conversion of the centurion and his family in Acts 10:1-33. Peter recounts the story of Jesus’ ministry and ultimately the price Jesus paid for our sins. He goes on to say, “He commanded us to preach to the people and testify … that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”       


At that time, the disciples were still small in number. Most people probably didn’t know who Jesus was or what being His follower meant. But Peter knew. His life had been transformed and he had to testify. Jesus told him to do so, and he was willing to risk his life to obey. 
      

What does a command from Jesus to “preach and testify” mean for us today?


I work in university ministry, and I am increasingly faced with the fact that more and more young people don’t believe in Jesus because they have no idea who He even is. They have not been raised in a Christian culture, and they have little to no exposure to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They don’t choose not to believe in Jesus because they have experienced Him and He just wasn’t relevant, but because no one has told them of how He changes everything.
       

Every day we are surrounded by people just like the centurion and his family, people who may never have the chance to receive God’s forgiveness because they don’t know it’s available to them. 


Peter says that Jesus commanded us to testify. How can we honour this command? Have you had an experience of Jesus that has changed your life? Do you have a story of a time when you received God’s forgiveness and mercy? Testify by sharing that story with someone. Pray for opportunities to share and the courage to speak. Ask for the Holy Spirit to work through you just as He did through Peter. 


This Easter, as we reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made for our salvation, let’s pray for the boldness to be a witness of God’s love and forgiveness to all those He puts on our path.


​

​Maxine Brown

---