Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
The Teacher is going away from His students, at least in physical form. But He’s teaching them right up to the last moment.
He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Jesus wants them to grasp the awesome significance of His death and resurrection. His sacrifice on the cross and His life in heaven will bring forgiveness of sins and new life.
As His closest students, they have a special task to perform - You are witnesses of these things.
They will tell about forgiveness of sins to every nation, and this process will begin in a few days in the city of Jerusalem. There, Peter and the others will stand up boldly tell this good news for the first time.
How will they do it without the presence of the Teacher?
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.
They won’t be without their Teacher. Though not present physically, Jesus will come to them representatively through the promised Holy Spirit.
That’s what every student still knows. The Teacher isn’t gone. He’s here with us every day. We have what He promised.
The Teacher is ever-present.
Thanks again, Denny, for pointing out a very improtant aspect of our faith that we tend to not really understand or rely on.
ReplyDeleteOften I have heard "Where two or three are gathered in my name."
Yet how often do we really think about the fact that we have been given the promised Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38-39) We have been sealed. (Eph 1:11-13) The Spirit leads us and guides us. (Rom 8)
Rom 8:9-11 are especially impacting - for if we don't have the Spirit we don't belong to Christ!
The Spirit knows us Rom 8:26-27 and helps communicate our needs to God. As well, the Spirit that dwells in us also knows God's will 1 Cor 2:10-11 and reveals to us that will.
How incredible a promise fpr Jesus to make - and a great gift to us from the Teacher!
How often do we truly appreciate that gift?
How often do we rely on His Spirit to guide us?