Then Jesus 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 and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 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, beginning from Jerusalem.”
Luke 24:44–47, ESV
For the disciples, called to be Apostles by Jesus, the direction of Christ was to begin proclaiming the Good News first in Jerusalem and then beyond. For us, the mission has not changed except for location. We are directed to tell everyone the Good News beginning in our communities and going far beyond. Our mission field, however, begins in our communities. The message of the Good News is simple, “Christ died on the Cross for our sins and has offered all humanity forgiveness of sin. Believe and follow Him.” To follow Jesus, we have the Word of God that is fulfilled through Him. Jesus never says that it is no longer valid but fulfilled. The Passover promise is fulfilled through Him, as are all the great sacrifices once required during all the feasting days. Instead of turning to an altar to offer a sacrifice, we come to the altar and receive His blessing. We no longer have to sacrifice in order to have our sins forgiven; we lay them at the foot of the Cross and know that our Lord takes them up. Our calling is to our neighbor to give a message of hope and promise. The hope and promise come to those who turn away from their false idols and turn to Christ our Lord. Our identity as Christians is no longer centered in the world but in Christ and Christ alone. As our Lord ascended, He rose with a promise and called us to go out and proclaim. Our proclamation is not about the things of this world but is about our Lord. Though our Lord desires for us to care for the hungry, the sick, the orphan, the downtrodden, the imprisoned, and the widow, the Good News and the change that He brings are meant to be central to it all. No one is saved because of their societal position, but only in the faith of Jesus Christ and our belief and trust in Him and the Word which tells about Him.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.