Last week we looked at Revelation 11 and the parable of the the church’s work of witness. Working through the parable, Ron highlighted four elements that were illustrated by the two witnesses: our witness represents God, is always effective, will at times suffer hostility but in the end will be vindicated.
What do you think of that term witness? What does it mean, entail and include? My sense is that that for many of us the idea has been reduced to a very narrow understanding left up to a very few very religious figures – either by inclination or profession. If we are to understand our calling as God’s people both as a community and individuals we need to expand our imagination.
As far as movies that fall into that post-apocalyptic genre, The Book of Eli is one of my favorites. It’s post nuclear war and life is brutal and mean. People barely scrape by to find basics and things like a travel size bottle of shampoo is a luxury. Order is kept only by strong men who impose their will through violence. The hero
is a “walker”who somehow is able to travel unharmed and carries a kind of intriguing quiet strength. Yes he can wield a machete like a ninja master but the hinge of the movies comes at the unveiling of a power shown here. The female character has been sent in for the pleasure and manipulation this strange walker into the service of the strongman.
Actually Possible. Until this point in the movie all she has seen is that brutality wins, people are to be used and/or thrown away the moment they get between you and anything you want and the world is full of scarcity. Then she experiences something else that pulls back the curtain on a life that she never even knew was possible. When we bear witness to the gospel we demonstrate and speak of the love, truth and power of God as demonstrated in Jesus Christ.
Question. When was a time that you saw or heard through another that there were options possible that you never considered because of Jesus Christ. You might not have even known at first that the person or group were Christian – you just noticed a different way.
Challenge: What are the ways in the spheres of influence that you see that either point to God’s love and truth or point away? Pray that Jesus would reveal how he is calling you this week to give evidence where you are that there is another reality at work in the world.
Our imagination and courage grows as we hear examples – I’d love to hear yours! When did God get your attention and show you that another way was possible? Leave a comment below or email me at JEpps@upc.org.
Peace :: Jon
