Thursday Thought -- September 1, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“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.’” (Luke 24:45-49)

First, there is the miracle of atonement. The atonement happened on the cross – “the Christ will suffer,” Jesus said. That suffering was necessary. It was the payment made by God Himself to cover the penalty of our sins.

Second, there is the astounding declaration that the payment had been accepted by God. That is what God declared when He raised Jesus from the dead. There is no clearer proof imaginable that there was something unique and powerful about the death of Jesus. Death took Him, but could not hold Him.

Third, there is the message that is to be preached – repentance and forgiveness of sins. The means by which we accept the payment that Jesus has made on our behalf is by our repentance – by our turning away from ruling our own lives and trusting our own ability to provide for ourselves – to allowing Jesus to rule our lives and trusting His work to provide for all that we need.  That’s repentance – and the result of repentance is forgiveness – a clean slate, sins forgiven.

Fourth, there is the scope of the preaching – to all nations. The Jews couldn’t keep the message for themselves – it was meant for more than just God’s favored nation. It was not to be restricted to just that day and age – all nations includes the nations that would come in the thousands of years that would follow. Not just good nations and good people, but all nations and all people. Not just democratic nations, by dictatorships and kingdoms and every other kind of nation.  All nations are to hear the message of Jesus.

Finally, there is the power – “clothed with power from on high.” The followers of Jesus don’t have to rely on our own strength and abilities – we can’t rely on those because they will never be enough. God provides the power – He promised it – He gave it on that first Pentecost – and He keeps giving it today.

His, by Grace,

Steve