We are continuing our reflection on the days after Christ's resurrection. When Jesus appeared in the room where the disciples had gathered, He delivered an important message to them:
44He 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." 45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I 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" (Luke 24:44-49; emphasis added).
Christ opened their minds to the Scriptures (v. 45), reminding them that faith in God must be grounded in the Word of God (Romans 10:17). He also recalled the teachings He shared with them while He was with them—things prophesied in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms that Christ needed to fulfill. Just as He did with the Emmaus disciples, He did the same with those in the room, guiding them through Old Testament passages and explaining God's plan to redeem not only the Jewish people but also Gentiles. The plan of salvation was unfolding before their eyes, giving them an understanding of why Jesus suffered and voluntarily sacrificed Himself.
Luke discusses the Lord's expectation for all believers—the duty of preaching repentance (turning away from self toward obedience to Christ) and of forgiving sins to all nations, starting in Jerusalem, their home (v. 47). We are called not just to make converts, but to make disciples. Matthew’s Gospel clearly states His command to all of us:
18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20; emphasis added).
We are called to teach all nations to obey everything the Lord taught His disciples during the three years He walked with them. The Book of Acts outlines Christ’s strategy: to share what we know of Christ and make disciples in expanding circles, beginning in Jerusalem. Today, that means making disciples from our hometown and extending outward to other towns, cities, and nations.
But 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" (Acts 1:8).
The strategy is to share the Good News in your hometown, starting where you live. Often, this is the most challenging place to start. If opportunities arise to sow seeds in more distant fields, we must take every opportunity available to bring the lifesaving message to others.
Jesus gave specific instructions about waiting, teaching the disciples to learn dependency and faith from the very beginning of their mission. He told them to wait until they received the promise of the Father: “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" (Luke 24:49).
The promise of the Father is the gift of the Holy Spirit, who would come on the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Passover, to rest on them and be in them. Let’s talk about why they have to wait in our meditation tomorrow. Keith Thomas.
Taken from the series in the Gospel of Luke, study 66: Jesus Appears to the Disciples.
You may also enjoy watching the YouTube video, "Why Did Jesus Have to Die?"