THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTIMONIES

BY EVANGELINE UNITY ESAABA FOLSON

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

The new King James Version of the verse above says:

However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how He has had compassion on you”. The man Jesus healed, wanted to stay with Jesus, this is stated in Mark 5:18 but Jesus did not permit him to, because testimonies of people who have experienced changes in their lives through the power of God must be told to others to:

Glorify God (Matthew 5:16)
To draw others to God (John 12:32)

A testimony is an account of the good works God has done in your life e.g. How God saved your life in an accident; It glorifies God because it shows the good work and power of God. As you tell of God’s good works in your life, you lift Him up and this will attract others to God.

There are several accounts of Jesus asking people He healed or helped to go and testify of the Lords goodness. Some of them are:

The Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well John 4:5-30
The man at the pool of Bethesda John 5:1-15
Healing the leper Matthew 8:1-4
Healing of Jarius daughter Mark 5:25-34

JESUS AT THE WELL

John 4:5-30

The passage above gives an account of a conversation Jesus had with a Samaritan woman at a well. He begins the conversation by asking for water, the woman was surprised because Jews were not to have dealings with the people of Samaria. As the conversation progresses, she realizes that this was an extraordinary He promised her “living water”, He knew she, had 5 husbands and was currently living with some one’s husband. After the conversation, she runs to the town to call everyone to meet this extraordinary man.

That is what Jesus requires of us, as His ambassadors; tell your story of what Jesus did to change your life to draw others to the kingdom of God. Your testimony is very important do not keep it to yourself. Share it to others that can learn from it.

The Samaritan woman brought the whole town to Jesus. Giving Him the opportunity to minister to others. When you go out to win souls do not be too worried about what to say.

Start a normal conversation using any current incident or your environment. Jesus was at the well, so He used water, which was a pressing need for both of them ( the Samaritan woman and Jesus Himself)

The Samaritan woman went out to testify, even though Jesus had not asked her to. Jesus did not stop her because it was an important issue. People must testify to attract others to serve God.

THE MAN AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA

JOHN 5:1-15

This passage from the book of John gives an account of a man who had been at the pool of Bethesda for 38years waiting to be healed. He had stayed there for so long because he had no one to help him get into the pool when the water was stirred and ready to heal whoever went in first.

He had heard about the works of Jesus and knew, He could heal. As soon as he saw him coming he cried out for help. He was healed but because it was the Sabbath day (against Jewish custom to work or heal on that day). Jesus left the scene quietly because He knew it was the Sabbath and He could be arrested and charged for healing on the Sabbath.

But the man, still testified about Him, because He had done a great thing in his life and he was willing to tell the whole world.

HEALING THE LEPER

Matthew 8:1-4

In the passage above, Jesus heals a leper. But in this account Jesus forbid him to tell others (Matthew 8:4) However he asked him to show himself to the priests and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Though he was not to tell everyone, showing himself healed of leprosy to the priests would testify of Jesus power and ability to heal.

HEALING THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD

Mark 5:25-34

The passage above gives an account of how a woman with the issue of blood (has been bleeding continuesly) for several years was healed. She may have visited all kinds of doctors, Spiritualists perhaps for 12years and none had been able to heal her. As she followed Jesus in the crowd, she was moved to touch the hem of Jesus’s garment and instantly she was healed. Jesus felt some “virtue” or power had gone out of Him and said, who touched my clothes His disciples and those around Him were surprise He asked that question because there were so many people around Him. Several people could have.

As the woman came before Him to confess, the crowd listened carefully. The woman gave the testimony of how she had been healed and I believe many heard and believed in Jesus.

HEALING OF JARIUS’S DAUGHTER

Mark 5:35-43

As the crowd listened to the woman’s testimony another person came to seek Jesus. His daughter was sick and needed healing. As the man talked someone came with the news that his daughter was dead.

As soon as Jesus heard the bad news, He said “Be not afraid, only believe” The ruler of the synagogues Jarius took Jesus to his daughter and and Jesus commanded her to rise from the dead and she did. The people around were astonished about what Jesus did. They had witnessed everything and did not need a testimony. Each of them could testify of Jesus’s power wherever they went.

Though Jesus forbid them not to testify, probably because it might cause problems for the girl who had died, the people still could testify later about the power of God.

Testimonies are very important. Don’t hide them to yourself. Use it as a tool to win souls for the Kingdom of God.

There is a hymn that says

Go tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

The words of the hymn, shows us what to do as Christians, tell of the Lord’s great works every where (give testimonies)

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