photo44Luke 24 v 45. “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

Jesus reminded the disciples that everything that had happened to him was written in the Old Testament – the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. He had told them about this while he was still with them.

“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures” (v 45). This spiritual illumination is the great gift God gives to us when we become disciples. We see Christ in all the scriptures and particularly in his death and resurrection [e.g. Psalm 22, Psalm 69, Psalm 118 and Isaiah 53]. Christ is the King in the scriptures. Those who make anything else the main theme, for instance, prophecy, temple, tongues, last days, are doomed to error and confusion. It is Christ, especially in his glory as our Saviour, which is the message of the Bible.

Now Jesus tells them what their mission would be. They would be witnesses to the message of the books in the Old Testament and the New Testament that would follow. But what was their message?

First, it was not a philosophy built on logic. No! It was a Gospel (message of good news) based on certain historical events prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in history by Jesus – his sufferings, death, burial and resurrection.

Secondly, this gospel would offer to all who repent forgiveness in the name of Jesus – specifically in the name of the One who was crucified and rose again. This is the good news.

Thirdly, this Gospel was to be preached world-wide to all mankind without discrimination of any kind. But this world-wide outreach was to start from Jerusalem because this is where the event occurred which forms the basis of forgiveness to all people. And so important was this event that its very nature demanded that in the first instance eyewitnesses should bear witness to its historical truthfulness.

But how was all this going to happen? Who would listen to the witnesses and how would people respond to the message? What would be given to these events to gain the ear of the world? A power, a very great power.

The same power that is given to you today. But that is for tomorrow.