Luke 24:44-53 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.  5 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Before Jesus ascended, He told His disciples, his followers, “you are witnesses of these things,” referring to His Ministry and work of redemption.

There is an old legend that when Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels were talking to Him. Since He still bore the marks of His sufferings, Gabriel said, “Master, you must have suffered terribly for men down there.”

Jesus replied, “I did.”

Gabriel asked, “Do they know how much You loved them and what You did for them?”

Jesus answered, “Oh, no, not yet. Right now only a few of them in Palestine know.”

So Gabriel asked, “What have you done to let everyone know about it?”

Jesus replied, “I asked Peter, James and John, and a few others to make it the business of their lives to tell others about me. Each one who hears about me will tell someone else, and eventually, everyone will know what I did for them.”

Gabriel was a bit skeptical, since he knew what men were like. “What if Peter and the others get tired? What if those who come after them forget? What if way down in the 21st century, people just don’t tell others about You? Have you made any other plans?”

Jesus answered: “I have no other plans. I’m counting on them.”

The truth of the matter is that the only reason you and I know of Christ is because those who went before us let the Spirit work through them. It is now our turn to be the witnesses Jesus wants us to be.