Witness for Christ

The book “Songs of the Deliverer” tells the story of Christ re-cast in modern day. The book is a work of fiction but the stories and characters are based on the Gospels of the New Testament. These Reflections are written to highlight the Biblical pericopes.

Referenced in Chapter Nineteen

He came to them as a stranger. He would soon become their friend. Then, he served as their teacher and he taught them the truth; he showed them the truth.

And now it was time for him to leave.

How would the apostles describe Jesus to those who had never known him? Because from them and from their witnesses, the rest of us know Jesus.

Peter was among the first of the apostles. Later, Jesus would say that Peter was the rock upon which his church would be built. Now, what would Peter say about Jesus?

Thereafter, Jesus came upon Nathaniel alone and sitting under a tree. He observed that Nathaniel was a man in whom there was no deception. Now, what would Nathaniel say about Jesus?

Jesus encountered Matthew who was working as a tax collector for the state. He dined with Matthew despite protests from community leaders who objected to Matthew’s unseemly occupation. Jesus responded by saying that he had not come to save the righteous, but the sinners. Now, what would Matthew say about Jesus?

Then there was John. John and his brother, James, were with Jesus all through his public ministry. John was with Jesus at his baptism on the River Jordan, he was him at the miracles when he healed the sick and fed the hungry, he was with him at the Transfiguration where he was revealed as the Son of God, he was with him when Lazarus was raised from the dead, he was with him at the Last Supper when he shared bread and wine in communion with the apostles, he was with him at his betrayal and subsequent arrest, and he was with him at his trial and sentencing for blasphemy. And with Mary, the mother of Jesus, along with Mary Magdalene, John was with him at the crucifixion. It was at the crucifixion where Jesus looked upon his mother from the cross and bequeathed her care to John by saying: “woman, behold your son.”

Now, what would John say? What would he say about all that he had witnessed of the life and times of Jesus Christ?

In fact, we know what John would say because he wrote a book, the Gospel of John. In his book, this is John’s witness for Christ:

  • Jesus Christ is the Word of God sent to the world.
  • Jesus Christ is the light of the world and those who follow the light will have true life.
  • Jesus Christ is the Son of God and his works are God’s works.
  • Those who believe in Jesus Christ shall not perish, but have life everlasting.
  • Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.
  • Jesus Christ sends the Holy Spirit to us to be our Advocate, Counselor, Comforter, and Voice of Truth.
  • Jesus Christ was crucified and died to deliver us from sin.
  • Jesus Christ was resurrected from death to reveal the truth of eternal salvation in God’s heavenly kingdom.

This is the witness the Gospel author, John the Apostle, has given for Jesus Christ.

What do you say?

Are you a witness for Christ?

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