On Mission
Thomas Gamble
We often hear about the importance of last words. When someone knows they don’t have a lot of time to talk to people, we tend to talk about the important things. We see this play out in the life of Jesus towards the end of the Gospels and the beginning of Acts. He had 40 days after His resurrection to give them some last-minute instructions for how to go about spreading the Gospel to Jerusalem and to the nations. We see passages like the Great Commission and Acts 1:8 are both toward the very end of Jesus’ time on earth. Another important teaching moment just before the ascension is found in Luke 24.
44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” -- Luke 24:44-49 (CSB)
There is so much in this passage that I cannot say in a short article, but I do want to point out a few things. First, notice how clearly Jesus explains to the disciples exactly what He had done and what those acts accomplished: He had fulfilled
the Law, died and rose from the grave, and made forgiveness of sins possible for all nations. Jesus wanted to make
certain, possibly one last time in their physical presence, that they knew exactly what message they were to take. It
wasn’t merely a message of love. It wasn’t only a message of morality. It was a king overcoming the rebellion of his own
creation and making a way for them to be brought back into his presence in love and grace.
Next, I want you to picture something with me. Picture the phrase, “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” How incredible is that?! I am a big history buff and love to read about different events throughout the course of
history. I cannot think of a single place in time I would have rather been than in that room hearing Jesus explain the
Scriptures in full detail. What an incredible moment!
Lastly, notice the phrase, “You are witnesses of these things.” His disciples were witnesses to the life change that can
happen through the work of Jesus. They had experienced it themselves and they were charged with taking that
message to all the world. What a privilege it must have been to be an integral part of the plan of God Most High to take
the message of Salvation to the world!
Here’s the thing, you and I have that very same pleasure! We have the same testimony that the Disciples had; that we
have been overcome in our rebellion, we have been brought to life in Christ, and we have the chance to be carriers of
that message to everyone we come in contact with.
Now I know these last eight months haven’t been normal for any of us in the 850, but nothing that we have experienced
changes the fact that we exist on this earth to make the name of Jesus known. Now, we may not have had the same
opportunity to take that message to the far corners of the earth because of circumstances at home, but that does not in any way free us from our task as messengers. Nor does it give us an excuse to forget about other nations.
Church, I want to challenge you as I have been challenged over the last few months to remain steadfast in our mission. It is easy to get distracted with things going on in our homes, jobs, and neighborhoods, but none of that changes the fact
that there are billions of people all over the world that need to hear the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am praying that the Lord would give me the opportunity to be his messenger, and I hope you will join me in that prayer!
Grace and Peace,
Thomas
44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” -- Luke 24:44-49 (CSB)
There is so much in this passage that I cannot say in a short article, but I do want to point out a few things. First, notice how clearly Jesus explains to the disciples exactly what He had done and what those acts accomplished: He had fulfilled
the Law, died and rose from the grave, and made forgiveness of sins possible for all nations. Jesus wanted to make
certain, possibly one last time in their physical presence, that they knew exactly what message they were to take. It
wasn’t merely a message of love. It wasn’t only a message of morality. It was a king overcoming the rebellion of his own
creation and making a way for them to be brought back into his presence in love and grace.
Next, I want you to picture something with me. Picture the phrase, “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” How incredible is that?! I am a big history buff and love to read about different events throughout the course of
history. I cannot think of a single place in time I would have rather been than in that room hearing Jesus explain the
Scriptures in full detail. What an incredible moment!
Lastly, notice the phrase, “You are witnesses of these things.” His disciples were witnesses to the life change that can
happen through the work of Jesus. They had experienced it themselves and they were charged with taking that
message to all the world. What a privilege it must have been to be an integral part of the plan of God Most High to take
the message of Salvation to the world!
Here’s the thing, you and I have that very same pleasure! We have the same testimony that the Disciples had; that we
have been overcome in our rebellion, we have been brought to life in Christ, and we have the chance to be carriers of
that message to everyone we come in contact with.
Now I know these last eight months haven’t been normal for any of us in the 850, but nothing that we have experienced
changes the fact that we exist on this earth to make the name of Jesus known. Now, we may not have had the same
opportunity to take that message to the far corners of the earth because of circumstances at home, but that does not in any way free us from our task as messengers. Nor does it give us an excuse to forget about other nations.
Church, I want to challenge you as I have been challenged over the last few months to remain steadfast in our mission. It is easy to get distracted with things going on in our homes, jobs, and neighborhoods, but none of that changes the fact
that there are billions of people all over the world that need to hear the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am praying that the Lord would give me the opportunity to be his messenger, and I hope you will join me in that prayer!
Grace and Peace,
Thomas