Witnessing Anytime, Anyplace
Scripture Reading — Luke 5:27-32
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
—Luke 5:31-32
At social events, doctors and nurses are often pulled aside by people who have health-related questions. Likewise, electricians and carpenters are often asked for free advice about people’s home improvement projects. In a similar way, pastors are drawn into spiritual conversations at sporting events, on airplanes, around campfires in summer, or at the ends of freshly shoveled driveways in winter.
The Bible shows that Jesus used every time and place as an opportunity to witness. Sometimes his conversations happened at night, as with Nicodemus (John 3). In today’s verses the Pharisees and teachers of the law criticized Jesus for hanging out with “sinners.” Jesus reminded them that just as doctors tend to the sick, he came to call sinners to repent.
Some of us would rather leave spiritual conversations to pastors. We’d rather “fly under the radar” about being a Christian.
A Christian tradesman cringed when a fellow contractor asked if he was a “Bible thumper.” The contractor was teasing, but his tone was respectful. The tradesman took the opportunity to say, “Yes, I’m a Christian,” and a meaningful conversation followed.
To whom will God show himself through you today? The Spirit of Christ calls us to be ready to give an answer anytime, anywhere (1 Peter 3:15). Are you ready?
Lord, by your Spirit, help us to honor you in all we do and say, that others may come to know you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Daryl DeKlerk
Daryl DeKlerk pastors a church in Jarvis, Ontario. He is thankful for a sabbatical that enabled him to study the theme of Grace-filled Christian Witness. Daryl and his wife have three young children who keep them on their toes and on their knees in prayer.
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