37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:37–38)
The things Peter began to explain to Cornelius, and to those he had gathered in his home to hear what Peter had to say about Jesus, were things that they already knew. He said, “You yourselves know what happened throughout Judea.” What Jesus did was not obscure. He did not do His good works in secret so that no one knew what was going on. Instead, He Himself testified to the high priest when he questioned Him about His disciples and His teaching, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.”
The things Jesus did were all done in the open and in public spaces, He did nothing in secret or in hiding. Everything was done in plain view for all to see. Therefore, when the testimony of the early Church was proclaimed, those who heard could easily verify what was being said because everything was done in plain view for all to see. That means that the letters and the accounts that we now have were written down by eye witnesses and verified by those who were there and could testify to the authenticity of the reliable accounts. Therefore, we have no need to feel unsure or skeptical about what was handed down to us.
We, today’s Church, the body of Christ, must do the same. We must let our light shine so that others may see and glorify our Father who is in heaven. But Today’s Christian is obscur; it’s like they are in hiding, and so they go unnoticed. I used to work with a certain woman who turned out to be a Christian woman. I had no clue that she was. She didn’t partake in any of the office gossip or anything like that. She just kept to her, never spoke about her faith, and she didn’t seem to be very happy. I later found out that she was a Christian.
What I’m encouraging you to do today is share the Gospel with someone. Smile, let others see your joy because the joy of the LORD is our strength. Encourage others, be light in your dark corner of your world. For the love that you show will be the love that someone else needs, just like the light that you shine is the light that will cause someone else to see and not to stumble. Be like Jesus who did all His good works in plain sight for all to see, and so did His followers.
Father, help us to show Your Son Jesus in our day to day actions and proclaim His Name in our day to day interactions. We want to be a witness for You, but we cannot be a witness in silence. Therefore, give us boldness to speak loud and proud about the goodness of Jesus. Thank You Jesus for Your bold statements. Help us to be like You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.