By Stuart Powell
Testifying to Jesus’ influence on our lives is an important part of the Christian faith. The older we are in our faith the more we should have to say about Jesus. His influence always begins by changing our attitudes about living. Jesus replacing the wrong desires inside of us by teaching us to live holy. When we grant the Holy Spirit permission he will also change our view of other people. Jesus’ influence will eventually enable us to sacrificially love those we used to oppose. God will teach us to welcome all who are different. He will lead us to fast for those who abuse us. Jesus’ influence will also redefine our priorities. Events that the world highly esteems will loose their luster. Believers will gravitate toward simpler expressions of faith; living thankful to God, finding joy in every situation, and participating in the ancient rituals of baptism and communion. Jesus wants these radical transformations to be on display for all the world to see.
Why does Jesus want to change us so dramatically? In Jesus’ pastoral prayer in John 17 he explains his desire for remaking our lives; to tell others about the changes he made in us.
John 17:20-21 (NET)
20 “I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, 21 that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me.”
When our motivation is not to satisfy the appetites of this world people will take notice. When those who ignore Jesus see groups of believers made up of unconventional combinations of people they will question. As diverse assemblies of believers display a growing harmony in worship the conflicted world will struggle to understand. When former enemies share a food and drink at a common table those who don’t know Jesus look on in wonder.
The power of the Lord’s Table is most clearly evident in the times of greatest turmoil around the church. When we partake together we see the unity for which Jesus prayed clearly displayed. Every disciple partaking of the same emblems of communion testifies to the single Body of Christ. When the world sees unity among a diversity of believers there will be a growing longing to seek it source. As you partake of the bread and the cup remember that your participation in this table is a part of your testimony of Jesus’ redemptive power at work in your lives. This practice is a witness to the world that Jesus is real.
Stuart Powell lives outside of Terre Haute, Indiana, where he serves with the North Side Christian Church.
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