How should believers respond to witnessing Jesus' power, as seen in Luke 8:34? The Scene “ ‘When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside.’ ” (Luke 8:34) What Stood Out • Ordinary workers suddenly faced undeniable, supernatural power. • Their first impulse was movement—“they ran off”—and communication—“reported.” • Though their understanding was limited, they treated the event as news that could not be kept quiet. Timeless Principles for Believers • Witnessing Jesus’ power demands a response; silence is not an option. • Movement and message belong together: go somewhere, tell someone. • Jesus’ works are historic facts, not private experiences; they invite public testimony. Supporting Passages • Luke 8:39 — “ ‘Return home and describe how much God has done for you.’ ” • Acts 1:8 — “ ‘You will receive power … and you will be My witnesses.’ ” • Acts 4:20 — “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” • Psalm 145:6 — “They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds.” • 1 John 1:3 — “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard.” Practical Ways to “Run and Report” Today 1. Go to familiar places first—family, friends, workplace—and recount specific ways Christ’s power has changed you. 2. Use everyday language; the herdsmen had no theological training, yet their plain report stirred an entire region. 3. Integrate testimony into routine conversations—commute, lunch break, social media. 4. Keep the focus on Jesus’ action, not personal achievement. 5. Stay available for follow-up; questions and curiosity often surface after initial shock. Guarding the Heart While Testifying • Cultivate awe, not pride: the power belongs to Christ, not the witness (Ephesians 3:20-21). • Expect mixed reactions; some will marvel, others may fear or reject (Luke 8:35-37). • Remain truthful; embellishment undermines credibility and dishonors Scripture. • Rely on the Spirit for courage and clarity (2 Timothy 1:7). Encouragement to Act Jesus still transforms lives with the same authority He displayed on that shoreline. Every believer who has “seen” His power—whether in personal salvation, answered prayer, or miraculous intervention—carries the privilege and responsibility to run and report. When we do, towns, countrysides, and entire cultures encounter the Living Lord. |
    |