We Are Witnesses To This

 by Tom Fairman

Mary Magdalene at the Tomb
by Alexandre Cabel

To be a witness is a very crucial role within society. Within a court of law, witnesses provide evidence in a case to help ascertain the truth of a situation. At a wedding or on a will, witnesses are called upon when signing the documents to support the truthfulness of an event and prevent it being disputed. Even within everyday life, we are constantly looking for support to justify our points of view at work, settle arguments between our children or to agree with our judgements about the latest film or television show we saw. Witnesses give credence and gravitas and help us to see what is true.

With this understanding, we are all constantly witnessing to something. Every time we share a story with someone or offer an opinion, we are witnessing to a truth we have experienced in our lives. We are confirming that such and such happened and presenting that as a truth to the other. This is especially true when the event in question is a surprising or exciting one, one where you cannot wait to tell somebody about. Whether it is good or bad, we find it very hard to hold that news in and have to pass it on, almost to confirm to ourselves that it actually happened. In a society where truth is being held to be more relative than objective, this need to witness to ourselves is very strong.

Throughout the Easter story, we have many examples of people witnessing to this remarkable event. When Mary and the women find the tomb empty, their first action is to run to tell the Apostles what they have found. The soldiers who were guarding the tomb reported to the chief priests what had happened. The disciples on the road to Emmaus after realising they had been speaking to Jesus ran back to tell the other disciples they had seen Jesus. The disciples told Thomas that Jesus had appeared to them when he wasn’t with them. Every event creates within us an urge to tell someone, to witness to what has happened.

When the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke His disciples for their heavenly praise on Palm Sunday, Jesus rebukes them and says “If they remained silent, the very stones will cry out”. The chief priests rebuked the Apostles after Jesus’ resurrection, telling them to stop preaching in His name, but the disciples continue as Peter exclaims “We are witnesses of these things”. They try to arrest them and put them in prison because the disciples very presence within the community witnesses to the resurrection and power of God along with the Holy Spirit that is given to His followers. The disciples were proud of this persecution as even the scars we bear provide witness of the miracles God works, as shown when Thomas finally meets the risen Lord and believes when placing his hands in the holes the nails made.

John ends his gospel with a beautiful phrase: “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”. We cannot describe and tell everyone everything that happens to us and yet somehow we do manage to communicate this to others. When we have had a bad day at work, our other half instantly knows something has gone wrong. When are children have had some success, they shine with the joy of what has happened. Even when we don’t speak, our actions and our being are witnessing to something. As parents and teachers can tell you, you are constantly under scrutiny and being observed, your witness being thoroughly examined and the truth of your teaching and direction is determined.

We are all witnesses to something, our actions and lives are constantly speaking of the truths we hold in our hearts, inaction and silence included. To bear the name of Christian means you have become a witness to Jesus’ resurrection in every way. It means you testify that this is truth in the sight of all those within your life. It means you are willing to stand within society and declare to those around you by word or deed that Jesus is alive, whether that brings praise or derision. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves, what truth are we witnessing to and is that truth worth taking the stand for?