You Will Be My Witnesses

Mount of Olives is a key geographical spot in the Bible. The location and elevation of the mount provides a scenic overlook into Jerusalem. David fled barefoot from Jerusalem, through the Kidron Valley, and up Mount of Olives when his son, Absalom, had his coup d’état. Bethany, the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, is just east. The Palm Sunday Road begins here and passes by Gethsemane, where Jesus loved to pray. This mountain is the site of the ascension and the promise of power when the disciples would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This mountain is also where thousands of Jews have been buried through the centuries. Mount of Olives is a perfect description of “Mountains, Valleys and Caves.”

We uphold our loyalty to Jesus through Asbury by five actions: our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Asbury exists to help others follow Jesus. A witness has had some type of experience. A major reason Christians become bored with their faith is because they have ceased to be witnesses. Jesus told us to be a witness. Witnessing is core to our identity as His followers. “But you will 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) And 1 Peter 3:15-16 says: “…but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience….”

One illustration says, “Witnessing is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” Jesus is the bread of life. The story is not about us, but what He has done in us. In a quote attributed to the author of “Amazing Grace,” John Newton, said: “I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be. But I thank God I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, ‘By the grace of God I am what I am.’”