This is a humbling passage. Jesus again says
that the disciples will testify because they have been with Him from the
beginning. Once again, they seem to have a major advantage over us, because we
indubitably did not walk with Jesus of Nazareth for the three and a half years
of His earthly ministry. But notice the company they’re in!
“When the Helper
comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is, the Spirit of truth
who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify
also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”
That’s almost scary. The Spirit’s testimony and
the disciples’ are set side by side, as if they are similar. Are we included in
that? “As one born too late,” like Paul? We believe we are. And if, in fact, we
wait for the Spirit to go first, we will not only be unafraid, but we will be
given words to say. Matthew
10 doesn’t use the term “witness,” but Jesus does tell the disciples that
they will teach about Him, and in verses
19 and 20 He reassures them that they are not to worry what to say, as the
Spirit will speak for them. So it’s teamwork, and the burden is not on us, but
on God, who has broad shoulders indeed.
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