Breaking News

“Breaking news” scrolls across the bottom of the screen on every news network when something the media deems significant takes place. Social media fills with hashtags of the event, and articles are posted on various media outlets. This news becomes the conversation starter before the meeting at work or before class begins. The bigger the news, the longer it trends on Twitter!

Here we are, the day after Easter.

Jesus is alive! Death and sin did not get the last word. Jesus has risen from the dead and He is Lord!

He has made provision for us to enter into the most holy place! Therein lies the important reality that our faith is ultimately something that we experience. Mary saw Jesus and left, declaring to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.” Peter and John, during a trial in Acts 4 in which they were told to be silent about Jesus, responded, “we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

The gospel, which means good news, is the greatest news ever given. And if we have experienced the resurrection power of Jesus on Easter, then this “breaking news” ought to be scrolling throughout our lives. One of the most basic human responses to the new spiritual birth in our lives is the compelling love that makes us a witness of what we have seen and heard (experienced). I have seen the Lord, and it has changed my life.

Phineas F. Bresee, founder of the first Church of the Nazarene, said: “We are debtors to every man to give him the gospel in the same measure in which we have received it.” Before Jesus’ ascension into heaven, His last promise was about the disciples receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this baptism, they would, among other things, “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8, ESV).

If you happen to be a witness in a court of law, you cannot share second-hand information. You can only share what you have personally experienced. As you go into this week, take time to be still before the Savior. Then, go into the world and witness in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jared Henry is lead pastor of Mackey Church of the Nazarene in Mackey, Indiana, USA.

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.

Written for devotions.