IN HIS NAME TO ALL NATIONS

Luke 24:36-53 / Keywords 24:47

and repentance and forgiveness of Thanks sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

24:36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

44 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.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 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.”

The Ascension of Jesus

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

1. The Risen Jesus visited the apostles and conferred on them real peace. But they were frightened and thought they saw a ghost. Jesus showed his nail-pierced hands and feet then let them touch him. When they still couldn’t believe because of joy and amazement, Jesus ate a piece of broiled fish before them. Jesus gave them many convincing proofs to plant in them resurrection faith. Jesus labored to help them to have resurrection faith so that they may live as witnesses of his resurrection. The gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection is the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Old Testament. God wants to save all his children through the gospel of Jesus. The good news must be spread to all nations. Jesus wanted his disciples to be his witnesses in the whole world so that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name to the ends of the earth. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower them but they had to stay in Jerusalem and wait.

 

2. After giving them the world mission command, he was taken up into heaven. They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

 

Prayer Lord, you died and rose again and became my Lord and Savior. Help me live as your witness and share the good news of my Lord Jesus Christ.

One Word The forgiveness of sins in His name