Christ’s Witness To You

Friend, there are times during the Christian’s journey when God seems to suddenly and without explanation leave us or the grandeur of Christ-centered awareness or revelation suddenly ends. What do you do at such times? Or, what have you done at such times? Why would God present Himself to you in a way that discloses something rich to your mind and heart, something that feels life enriching to you (the way your relation with God should be), and then “that” type of experience end?

Scripture is full of examples of this occurring, but consider the following two.

“The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” And at this point His disciples came . . . “ (Jn 4:25-27)

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.” (Lk 24:30-31)

The reason for any particular “break” or “apparent discontinuance” of a time when one is aware of God disclosing Himself can be debated, but in these two examples we can be certain of “a” reason by seeing what occurred after the break. In each case, Christ presented Himself to the parties. As he presented Himself, He revealed Himself to them in a way that was life altering and God-ward. The Samaritan woman and the two disciples conducted themselves, as seen by their behaviors, differently. Yet, there is similarity. Their behavior not only stemmed from their fresh encounter with Christ, but furthered testimony about Christ to others: The Samaritan woman testified of Christ to other Samaritan’s; the disciples testified of Christ to those who where already followers of Christ. Both, if I may categorize it such, “the lost” and “the brethren” were beneficiaries of lives that had been enriched by Christ’s witness.

Examine your life. Do you on occasion have awareness of Christ working at the core of your life or awareness of Christ testifying about Himself to you? If so, what follows? If not, why not?

The Samaritan woman and the two disciples were at different places in their spiritual lives. Both groups were confronted by Christ in respect to their relation to God, Christ, and themselves. The Samaritan woman was honest about a life issue. Christ met her there. Reader, do you have a life issue standing in the way? Hear Christ’s counsel to her that God is seeking those who will worship Him “in spirit and truth.” Is it time for you to be honest with God and yourself on something that defines you? The two disciples did not adequately understand who Christ was and what He was about. Their disappointment was based on worldly interpretations of what is a Heavenly life and purpose. Of course they would be disappointed! Christ’s revelation to them changed their framework for understanding Him and life. Are you living from a Chist-centered or Heavenly framework? Does something fundamental need to change?

Finally, both the Samaritan woman and the two disciples immediately testified about Christ and their lives to others. Once enlightened and changed, they spread Christ’s testimony and that of their lives to others; for the sake of glorifying God and furthering Christ’s witness. And, this sharing was natural.

Friend, examine your life. How would you describe your life with God in Christ Jesus? Dead? Why? Not what you expected? Why? Testifying of Christ and God’s work? The only way the Samaritan woman and the two disciples understood their lives after encountering Christ was from a Christ perspective. He defined life for them. If you and I define life for ourselves, or by worldly standards, our lives with Christ will “feel” as dead. That life may be “so dead” that you don’t see it at all. If this condition describes you, move toward God in simple prayer and confession (in spirit and truth) and talk to others about what you are experiencing. Share your life with Christ. Glorify God and further His witness and work. Your life will become both alive and rich in divine treasure.


“My God, permit me not to be a stranger to myself and thee;
Amid a thousand thoughts I rove, forgetful of my highest love.

Why should my passions mix with earth, and thus debase my heavenly birth?
Why should I cleave to things below, and let my God, my Saviour, go?

Call me away from flesh and sense; one sovereign word can draw me thence;
I would obey the voice divine, and all inferior joys resign.

Be earth, with all her scenes, withdrawn; let noise and vanity be gone:
In secret silence of the mind my heaven, and there my God, I find.”

(Isaac Watts)