Friday
Friday
The Great Commission according to Luke
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.
Luke 24:46–47
Today we reflect on Luke’s version of the Great Commission. In it the risen Lord summarizes the gospel in five truths, each of which is double. Firstly, there is the double event, namely the death and resurrection of the Messiah (v. 46). The Good News begins with history. It was an event before it could become an experience.
Secondly, there is the double proclamation. On the basis of the name of Christ crucified and resurrected, forgiveness (the gospel offer) and repentance (the gospel demand) are proclaimed. True, the gospel is a free offer, but what is free is not always cheap. We cannot turn to Christ without simultaneously turning from evil. Thirdly, there is the double scope. The gospel is to be made known “to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (v. 47). That is, in opening the door of faith to the Gentiles, God did not close it on the Jews. We must firmly reject the extraordinary teaching of a “two-track” gospel, which maintains that there is no need for Jews to believe in Jesus because they already have their own covenant with Abraham. But everybody needs to come to Christ!
Fourthly, there is the double accreditation of the gospel. On the one hand, there is the Old Testament witness to the Messiah (vv. 44, 46), while on the other, “you [the apostles] are witnesses of these things” (v. 48). Thus the death and resurrection of Jesus have in the Old and New Testaments a double attestation. Fifthly, there is the double mission. The Great Commission involved a double sending (v. 49)—the sending to them of the Holy Spirit and the sending of them into the world. The two missions go together, for the Holy Spirit is a missionary Spirit.
Thus the risen Lord has given us a beautifully balanced and comprehensive account of the gospel. We are commissioned to proclaim repentance and forgiveness on the basis of him who died and was raised, to all humankind (Gentiles and Jews), according to the Scriptures (Old and New Testaments), in the power of the Spirit given to us. Let’s keep these things together.
For further reading: Luke 24:44–49