A WITNESS OF HIS NAME

 

“It will be observed that the testimonies concerning the birth of the Messiah are from two extremes, the lowly shepherds in the Judean field, and the learned magi from the far east. We cannot think this is the result of mere chance, but that in it may be discerned the purpose and wisdom of God.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 108)

And so to the populace of Israel that was looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, as prophesied, God sent the witness of shepherds who watched over their flock when the hope of Israel entered the world.

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass….and when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child” (Luke 2:15,17)

“But there were classes of people among the Jews whom these lowly shepherd witnesses could not reach….and had they been able to reach them, the story of the angel’s visit, and the concourse of angels singing…would doubtless have been accounted as an idle tale of superstitious folk….Hence God raised up another class of witnesses – the wise men from the east – witnesses that could enter the royal palace of proud King Herod and proud priests of Judea (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 109).

When apostle Paul defended his testimony of Christ, he said to King Agrippa that he only witnessed to ‘both small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come’. And then he reiterated that these things that were prophesied of Christ were not ‘done in a corner’. In other words, all that was prophesied of Him came true and are known because they were not hidden (Acts 26:22-26).

Such is the importance of witnesses. God does not do anything in secret. Neither is He oblivious to the fact that mere mortals cannot exercise such exceeding faith that prophecies, warnings and witnesses would not be needed and so he provides it all and we fail to believe often even with all three. Such has been the disbelief in the resurrection of Christ despite many witnesses who were resurrected after Him (Matthew 27:51-53).

When Jesus prayed for His apostles during the intercessory prayer, He said: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word….that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20,21). This is us, we are those who believe through the testimony of the prophets, old and new.

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name” (John 20:30,31). And so the scriptures become the greatest witness to the world of the reality of Christ.

Every act of faith, every moment of trust, every revelation, every answer to prayer, every knowledge of truth we acquire, every good thing that builds our testimony in Christ is propelled into the world to open the eyes of some unbeliever. 

We too are witnesses…..

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Tender Shepherd by Eva Koleva Timothy)