Luke 24:44-49 (NRSV)
Read Luke 24:44-49 on biblegateway.com
Verse 44Then he said to 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." Verse 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, Verse 46and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, Verse 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Verse 48You are witnesses of these things. Verse 49And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Text for the Oct. 18 festival of Luke the Evangelist
Devotion
In previous chapters Luke tells of Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, death and burial. Chapter 24 picks up the post-resurrection story. Christ appeared to his followers at different occasions, and eventually removed the veil that covered their minds, so that with “unveiled faces” they see the glory of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:12-18).
Then he sends them to proclaim the story of God’s grace for the repentance and pardon of sinners. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they should begin at Jerusalem. How could it be explained that they should begin their ministry in Jerusalem, except that the grace of God still abounds despite the city’s rejection of the savior?
This should remind us that, despite our failures, the grace of God is still open. There is hope. Through Christ, God has not and will not give up on us.
Prayer
Dear Lord Christ, thank you for your loving us even when we fail you. May you open our hearts to understand the power of your love and help us to share it in our daily lives. Amen.