He is Risen!...Now What?

I spent a good deal of time meditating of Todd Keeler’s message from this past Sunday, Hidden in Plain Sight. The title is classic. People you would think should know, don’t. It was ‘hidden from them’ (Luke 18:34). And so Jesus makes it plain:

"Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations..." (Luke 24:45-47) 

The preceding passage in Luke (The Road to Emmaus) shared something very similar:

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." -  Luke 24:27

That afternoon discourse on the road to Emmaus was the ultimate “What Is the Meaning of Life?” synopsis. Jesus scanned thousands of years of biblical human history for two disciples, connected ALL the dots, and showed how they all led to one event: Jesus’ death and resurrection! His summation outdoes Linus’ “that’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown” a thousand times over.

And now, a few hours later in verses 45-46, Jesus does it again:

"Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead..."

But that is when verse 47 stopped me in my tracks. I have long understood that God’s purposeful activity in the affairs of mankind all worked to one aim - “that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,” but I never saw “and that.”

“ ... and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations..." - Luke 24:47

The summation of God’s purposes in history has two parts: 
A. Christ should rise, and
B. Repentance for forgiveness should be proclaimed.

A is not complete without B. A is only half the story. There is no redemptive glory without B.

A - “that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” is glorious, amazing, beyond description!

But B - “ ... and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations...” is clearly in the same sentence. It is said with the same breath.

The implications of this I am wrestling with. Truthfully, I did not want to put it into writing. I have wrapped my life around A - “Jesus is alive!” but not so much B - “let me tell you about it!” I find myself wanting.

But as I reflect, I become excited. In considering the resurrection, I don’t get to just rejoice in a past event, I get to complete that event by proclaiming to others - “our sins can be forgiven!”

For instance... lots of people are hurting right now from the effects of sin in our broken world. Read the news. I have the opportunity to give them the best news possible, the only news that can counter the weight of whatever pain they are experiencing: “Because of Jesus, sins can be forgiven. Wholeness can be received!”

Also, my life, as well as words, communicate. Living joyfully in the workplace, classroom and home, even while suffering, because my sins are forgiven, displays my resurrected Lord.

And then there are the nations... How to proclaim to them?

A friend shared last Saturday that he left the church as a young adult because he did not experience x, y and z. Thirty years later the Lord Jesus drew him back. His next words struck me: “If forgiveness is the only miracle I ever experience, I can be very satisfied.” That is so true.

Jesus, help me realize afresh the wonder of forgiveness, and share it freely to those who have yet to hear. You are risen!