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This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

Who’ll Be a Witness for My Lord?” That’s the title of an old spiritual song that asks the same question the Lord himself once asked in Isaiah chapter 6. It’s there that the prophet tells us, “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8).

After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus didn’t ask for witnesses. He simply pointed out to those who could verify his escape from the grave after a three-day stay, “You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48).

And when it comes to our Savior’s patience and unconditional love for all people, St. Paul could be the best of witnesses because, at one point in his life, he had been most unlovable. In a letter to his fellow pastor Timothy, Paul admitted, “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy . . . Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:13,15,16). To any person struggling with sin and guilt—to any person questioning whether Jesus could ever love a person like them—Paul could provide a completely satisfying answer. If Jesus could show him mercy and love, then you need not wonder if he can love and forgive you. He can, and he does!

And that’s why Paul “was appointed a herald and an apostle…and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.” He was a witness to the immense patience and love that our Savior has for all people, including you.

And now that you’ve been told that truth, guess what? You’ve become a witness!

Dear Jesus, help me to be a witness of your faithful love to all people. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.