E. The fulfilment of Scripture (24:44–49)
E. The fulfilment of Scripture (24:44–49)
The fulfilment of Scripture is one of Luke’s major themes. He sees God as having set out his purpose in those ancient writings and then as bringing to pass what he had foreshadowed. He was not frustrated by the machinations of wicked people.
44. These are my words means, ‘These happenings, specifically the resurrection, represent the outworking of the things I taught you.’ Jesus had included in his teaching enough foreshadowings of the passion and resurrection for his followers not to have been surprised at what had happened. He can say, while I was still with you, for his presence now (and on other occasions like this) was exceptional. The definitive break had taken place and he no longer abode on earth. The solemn division of Scripture into the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms (the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible) indicates that there is no part of Scripture that does not bear its witness to Jesus. This incidentally appears to be the only place in the New Testament where this threefold division is explicitly mentioned.
45–46. As on the road to Emmaus, he opened their minds (32). He showed that the Bible points to a Messiah who would suffer and rise. Once again Luke makes the fact clear without telling us what the passages were on which Jesus relied to make his point.
47–48. On this occasion Jesus went beyond showing how prophecy was fulfilled in his passion and resurrection. It was also fulfilled in the preaching of repentance and forgiveness of sins. It is often said that Luke does not see the cross as atoning, so these words connecting forgiveness with the passion are important. Luke may not stress the atonement in the way some other New Testament writers do, but it is part of his teaching. In his name connects this repentance and forgiveness with what Jesus is and has done. People are not called to a repentance based on general principles and to a forgiveness always available. Luke is speaking about what Christ has done for people and what is available through him. This Evangelist’s universalism comes out in his reference to all nations. It is no petty forgiveness available for a few pious or nationalistic souls, but for all people. The next words, beginning from Jerusalem, could be taken grammatically either with the preceding or the following. It is more likely to be with the preceding (as RSV), but perhaps there is not in the end a great deal of difference. The gospel is to be preached to all nations and the witness to Christ is to be made. Both are to be performed by people who at this point of time were in Jerusalem. That was where their witness would begin and that was where the evangelization of the nations would begin.
49. The risen Jesus has the power to send the Spirit. His authority is not limited as it was during the days of his earthly ministry. The promise of my Father is an unusual designation of the Holy Spirit emphasizing the place of the divine promise in his coming. The disciples are not to attempt the task of evangelism with their own meagre resources, but are to await the coming of the Spirit. The equipment he would provide is picturesquely described in terms of the disciples being clothed with power from on high. The note of power is significant, and on high reminded them (and reminds us) of the source of all real power for evangelism.