Jesus Commissions His Followers

MEMORY SELECTION: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” —Luke 24:47

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:44-53

IN LAST week’s lesson we traced the events surrounding Jesus’ appearance to the two disciples as they walked together on the road to Emmaus. We recall that they recognized the risen Lord only after he had broken bread with them in the familiar manner, and then he vanished from their sight.

Luke’s account continues to provide further background for this week’s study. These two followers of Jesus wasted no time in returning to the company of the apostles and other brethren who remained in Jerusalem, for “they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them.” (vs. 33) The message they had was too good to contain in their hearts, as they proclaimed with joy (vs. 34), “The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.”

It was while they were gathered together as a group of brethren that Jesus again manifested himself in the flesh, and “stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” (vs. 36) They were terrified, but he calmed their fears with the assurance that it was really their resurrected Master who stood before them.

As they enjoyed a meal together, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them the true meaning of the great events that had occurred. In his usual spirit of understanding and patience he reminded them that (vs. 44) “all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” Then, as he had done with Cleopas and the other disciple on the road to Emmaus, he opened up the Scriptures so that all could know the meaning of his ministry and sacrificial death. “And he said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.”—vs. 46

Our Lord then gave instructions to his followers. They were to preach the good news of salvation to others. This message was that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (vs. 47) They were given responsibility to preach the Word of God because they were witnesses of the great things that had come to pass.

The hidden truths in the writings of Moses and the prophets included the calling and selection of a bride class, who would share the glory of the kingdom of Christ and the change to spirit nature. These things remained a mystery to the disciples. They had not yet received the spirit of sonship, and Jesus had not yet appeared in the presence of the Heavenly Father to present the merit of his sacrifice on behalf of his followers. They were to tarry in Jerusalem until they received the promised Holy Spirit. That event would mark the beginning of another important step in the great plan of God for the salvation of the human family. The Holy Spirit would enable them to understand the deep things of God’s plan and their calling in connection with it.—John 14:26

The early Christians had been especially favored because they witnessed the life and ministry of our Lord and Savior. They would be given, in due time, the Holy Spirit of sonship and would become a part of the family of God; and they were commissioned to preach to others who yearned for truth and righteousness, the truth regarding those things which they had been taught. Others who were to follow the Master’s teachings throughout the Gospel Age were also instructed to preach those glad tidings. And even today the child of God accepts that same privilege to preach; for indeed, “how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”—Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:14-17

Luke’s Gospel closes with the account of Jesus’ ascension to heaven. Having led the disciples to Bethany, our Lord raised his hands to bless them; he then departed from them—to be carried into heaven.

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