Tell Your Story

This devotional considers John 20:30-31 and 21:25; Luke 24:27 and 35.

John was an eyewitness to Jesus’ life—his ministry, death, resurrection and ascension. He wrote down the signs he thought would be most beneficial for those who read his book to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. It was not possible for him to write down everything he saw and heard and experienced. But, he was faithful to give an account.

This morning, I want us to think about the parts of our lives we can share with others that demonstrate Jesus is the Messiah. What has the Lord done? How have we been changed? Each of our lives matter, and our stories matter to the children around us, family, friends, co-workers and people you may never meet.

John wrote, Jesus performed many other 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 Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name…And again he wrote, Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

I can’t say what John’s vision was for the impact of his testimony—I doubt he knew it would form part of The Second Testament of the Bible. At the very least, though, he knew that it would result in the faith of many of those who read it. We know that it has resulted in the salvation of too many souls to number, including ours. We have life in [Jesus’] name (as John desired) because of the testimonies in his gospel, not to mention the other Gospels, letters and books in the Bible that point to Jesus.

Luke wrote that beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them (that is, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus) what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. We know this because they went and told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

What experience with the Lord can we tell someone about? You may not have to tell in in the form of a book like John’s, but your stories matter. I pray the Lord give us the courage to tell them.

Amen.