“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:32-33).

Have you ever served on jury duty? I was called for jury duty once. I tried to imagine ahead of time what it would be like for me to sit on the jury when the time came. Seated behind the desk would be the judge. Of course there would be the prosecuting attorney as well as the defense attorney. The defendant would be seated at a desk, I was sure, and then of course there would be the witness stand. There people would come and answer questions based on their knowledge or observation of the situation. That’s how I had it all played out in my mind.

On the day that I was called to jury duty, I actually was the first called to the juror’s box. We would be hearing a case involving a man arrested for drunk driving. The defense attorney asked me about my occupation. I told him that I was a pastor. He then asked me if I was a social drinker. I told him no, and when pressed a little on the matter, I testified that I had never tasted alcohol in my life.

He then proceeded to ask me if I had any friends who were police officers. I told him that I was a chaplain in the city of Binghamton Police Department and that I had over 150 friends as police officers. Needless to say, I was the first one dismissed from jury duty! That was my short-lived tour of service on jury duty! It lasted less than fifteen minutes!

I do believe the prosecuting attorney wanted me on the trial, but the defense attorney surely did not. Soon the trial would proceed without me. I do know that “witnesses” would tell what they know to be true. Likewise Peter said that that the disciples were witnesses of Christ’s resurrection. He used an interesting word in our verse today as he is quoted as being one of the “witnesses” of the resurrection. Peter actually used the word from which we get the word “martyr.” This is a witness who testifies even unto death. This witness shares what he or she has seen and knows to be true.

How blessed it is to have the record of eyewitness accounts concerning the thrilling resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. While this is wonderful, it is important to remember that we do not have to be an eyewitness in order to be a witness. We simply need to tell people around us what we know to be true. I know that you will have many opportunities to live for the Lord and to share a word of testimony as a witness for Christ.