Paul's missionary activity was all about helping people to recognise Jesus as God's Saviour, and respond to Him in repentance and faith (Acts 20:21). Speaking in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch to displaced Jews and God-seeking Gentiles (Acts 13:16), Paul started by saying that the religious leaders in Jerusalem did not realise who Jesus was. Despite His amazing words and miraculous signs, they failed to connect Him with the prophecies in Scripture, even though these were read out in their worship services every Sabbath.

Christ's death sentence was illegal; a plot hatched between jealous religious leaders and a frightened governor. But He died to fulfil the prophecies in Scripture. He voluntarily gave up His own life, dying before the criminals executed with Him (John 10:18). Although His body was laid in a rock-tomb, God gave Him new life and a resurrection body so that His death-conquering, sin-forgiving sacrifice could be seen as being real and fully effective. The disciples recognised Him and were commissioned to tell the world to believe in Him (Luke 24:45-48).

And yet that witness was also dangerous. Stephen (Acts 7:59-60) and James (Acts 12:2) had both been martyred. And yet the church grew as more and more people recognised Jesus as their Saviour. Paul's own experience was sudden and dramatic, but with the same credentials: he met the risen Jesus and demonstrated his repentance by submitting to His authority (Acts 26:15-20).

Today, the challenge to the church is the same – to enable the world to see the real Jesus and understand why submitting to His loving authority is the only viable option. After all, He is the Judge of the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1); and the gospel announced justification to all who repent and believe (Romans 5:9). Alas, religion often shrouds the living Lord Jesus with a mysterious fog, removing clarity and certainty from the relationship He wants us to have with Him. Fear often tries to inhibit our proclamation; but those of us who have recognised Jesus have the inescapable responsibility to witness to the fact that we know Him. It is a matter of simple obedience. Speak about Jesus today, and let Him strengthen your faith and others as you do so.