June 24, 2023

John 20: 30, 31 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (NIV)

To be an eyewitness . . . supplies the highest kinds of evidence.*

Many years ago, I attended a conference whose organizers had arranged a private concert for its attendees. I had a third-row seat (no one was sitting in the first two rows) and was only mildly entertained by the show. Turns out, the performer was a famous country music star, but as I am not a fan of the genre, his fame and talent were lost on me.

Perhaps it would have been a similar waste for the risen Jesus to appear to anyone other than his followers. If any unbelievers saw him after his resurrection, it is not recorded, and surely if he did, they were no more impressed than I was by the guy with the guitar.

Jesus had a purpose for showing himself to those he selected. Just as someone accused of a crime needs a solid alibi for his defense, Jesus was establishing the fact of his resurrection with reliable witnesses whose testimony would stand up in court. It is through their authentication that we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

How reliable is your testimony? Have you seen Jesus? Is there evidence of it in your life? Is there enough evidence to convict you in a court of law if you were accused of being a Christian? Will anyone else believe that they may have life in his name because you believe it?

Speaking what one has seen and heard is the essence of witnessing.*