If you have seen the amazing work of Jesus in your life, you should say something.

Every Gospel closes with the same command – Go.

• Matthew 28:19–“Therefore while going make disciples of all nations…”
• Mark 16:7– “Go, tell his disciples and Peter, that He is going ahead of you into Galilee…”
• John 20:17–“Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
• Acts 1:8–“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Having spent time with Jesus, the Gospel writers call us to action. We are told to “Go” and testify to what God has done in our lives in order to help someone else. We are not to hold onto this treasure for ourselves but look for opportunities to speak hope and life and healing into the lives of other people.

When starting Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill W. & Dr. Bob drew on this Biblical concept for the 12th and final step of recovery; they realized the final step required them to stay spiritually active because the work is never complete:

Life was not easy for the two friends. Plenty of difficulties presented themselves. Both saw that they must keep spiritually active.

One day they called up the head nurse of a local hospital. They explained their need and inquired if she had a first class alcoholic prospect. She replied, “Yes, we’ve got a corker. He’s just beaten up a couple of nurses. Goes off his head completely when he’s drinking. But he’s a grand chap when he’s sober, though he’s been in here eight times in the last six months. Understand he was once a well-known lawyer in town, but just now we’ve got him strapped down tight.”

Here was a prospect all right but, by the description, none too promising…Two days later, a future fellow of Alcoholics Anonymous stared glassily at the strangers beside his bed. “Who are you fellows, and why this private room? I was always in a ward before.” Said one of the visitors, “We’re giving you a treat­ment for alcoholism.”

Hopelessness was written large on the man’s face as he replied, “Oh, but that’s no use. Nothing would fix me. I’m a goner. The last three times, I got drunk on the way home from here. I’m afraid to go out the door. I can’t understand it.”

For an hour, the two friends told him about their drinking experiences. Over and over, he would say: “That’s me. That’s me. I drink like that.”

The two friends spoke of their spiritual experience and told him about the course of action they carried out. He interrupted: “I used to be strong for the church, but that won’t fix it. I’ve prayed to God on hangover mornings and sworn that I’d never touch another drop but by nine o’clock I’d be boiled as an owl.”

Next day found the prospect more receptive. He had been thinking it over. “Maybe you’re right,” he said. “God ought to be able to do anything.” Then he added, “He sure didn’t do much for me when I was trying to fight this booze racket alone.”

On the third day the lawyer gave his life to the care and direction of his Creator…

Ultimately we find our own healing, when we realize we are not here for our sake, but for the sake of the person next to us. However, we may be too focused on ourselves and miss the needs of the person sitting beside us.

Kevin Hines survived his own nightmare to share his story. One day in September 2000, he found himself on a bus on the way to the Golden Gate bridge to commit suicide by jumping off the bridge. On that bus ride of despair he had “been hoping, wishing and praying that one person would see my pain and say ‘hey kid, are you okay. Is there something I can do to help you?’ I made a pact with myself that day that if one person intervenes, I’ll tell them everything and beg them to save me.”

Unfortunately, only one person spoke to him.

A woman stopped him and asked if he would take her picture on the bridge. He took her camera, she posed and then she left him. A few moment later he threw himself over the bridge and instantly regretted his decision. Miraculously, he survived the fall and is able to share his story to make us wonder how many people around us are hurting this deeply and in need of someone to simply ask “how are you doing?”

Go therefore, and make disciples, share your story, be present to the person next to you.