If you have met me or you know me, I engage people. I talk to them. Unless I am just utterly exhausted, I usually move toward others. I talk to people. I open myself to them and make a connection. While driving one of my sons to State College yesterday, at several instances I noticed that Easter Sunday was already in the rearview mirror for most people. Unless specifically mentioned, it wasn't even discussed nor brought up. During the previous week, I had shifted from "Happy Easter" to "Blessings to you and your family for the Resurrection Lord's Sunday." It wasn't meant to be tactical for the Gospel, but it did open up so many discussions. I don't assume that people have Christ at the forefront of their minds and souls. They may believe in the historically risen Jesus, but I don't assume that they know the resurrected LORD. I believe that this is what it means to be a witness and to testify to the truth. SIDE NOTE EXTRA: Your own story is important, but it never has the strength and the power of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your story intersects with His; but your story is an effect and a by-product of His Gospel. His Story is inerrant, inspired, and revelation from God.
In Luke 24 (which I would encourage you to read along with the first 7-8 chapters of the book of Acts, also penned by Luke), the apostles' grief and confusion and skepticism is transformed into joyful elation and bold, confident, repetitious testimony of the resurrection of Christ. I love how the Lord through the angels reveals His death conquering rise to the women, only to have the apostles doubt their testimony. Luke says, "But they did not believe the women because the words seemed like nonsense; except for Peter who ran to the tomb." They were wrong. He was Risen. As the story continues, these men were always talking and discussing these things. They were always using words in discussion. They talked and they talked and they talked. I absolutely love how the Lord Jesus engages them. Before they knew it was Him, He asked them in Luke 24:17, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" I think we should hope that people ask us the same: "You, Christ-Follower, what are you talking about?" Later the apostles, when they knew it was the LORD, said, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened The Scriptures to us?" These witnesses, men and women, would become the heralds of Jesus' resurrection. They spoke boldly, they declared the truth, and they talked and talked and talked. They could not be silenced no matter what.
They would not shut up about the resurrected Christ. Even in the midst of danger and persecution, they would not be silent. Their discussions went from perplexity and confusion and sadness and timidity and fear to clarity and boldness and joyful elation and confidence. They exuded hope to the broken world. They saw that the Old Testament Scriptures had paved the path for the New Covenant in Christ. You couldn't keep them silent. They wouldn't shut up. They wouldn't listen to other gospels. They declared as witnesses His resurrection. By the time you read Luke's historical account of the new church in the book of Acts, they continue to speak and refuse silence. They had no shame in the resurrected LORD Jesus, Messiah and Savior. They had no fear and no timidity. They declared Him, Jesus, the Anointed One. So should we. So should we. So should we. For the Gospel of Christ is the one topic in all truth meant for unbridled tongues; and unbridled tongues were meant for his same Gospel. Herald the truth to your neighbors and to your families and to your friends and even to strangers, dear people. Do not be silenced by the times of political correctness or fear of offense, beloved believers. For the enemy of our souls, the accusing devil called Satan, knows that this silence is his weary attempt to thwart the Gospel. This adversary wants truth stifled and confused and silenced. But nothing can be done against the Truth - only for the Truth. Praise Him our Lord Christ Jesus who gives us resurrection hope, boldness & courage, and Himself, the Truth - to be repeated and declared and proclaimed to others. Now, as you are going, go tell others His story and be witnesses as you are going. This is how the church is built and multiplied. Do not be silent. Keep speaking His name. Keep talking. Keep discussing. Do not be silent, beloved. Eternity is at stake for many; and multiplication with what is spoken is required by we ambassadors. Speak. Declare. Testify. Proclaim. Share readily when you can.
--Thor Knutstad
