Today's readings are Numbers 35.9-30 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+35.9-30 ), Luke 24.28-53 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+24.28-53 ), and Acts 1.1-7.60 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Acts+1.1-7.60 ).
Today we move into the season of the Church. In our New Testament reading Jesus gives a charge to his disciples, departs to heaven, empowers the believers, and establishes them in what appears to be the New Testament Church.
What is the charge Jesus gives to his people? This is the command which motivates all that happens in the first seven chapters of Acts. Jesus tells them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins. They are to stick to that message. Sinful humans need to repent. Jesus has provided forgiveness of sins. And that proclamation is to be made in the name of Jesus, speaking with Jesus' authority. He has fulfilled the Scriptures. We can most surely trust that Jesus has brought repentance and forgiveness.
As we look at Christian history we can see that the times when the Church has grown, when it has changed society, when it has made a difference in the hearts and lives of large numbers of people, those times have all been related to a steadfast proclamation of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Let's stick to the message Jesus has given us. It's the right one. And as we walk around through the Church year we will have many opportunities to proclaim that Jesus is the savior. Whether our hearers believe it or not, Jesus has overcome death, hell and the grave. He is the victorious savior. He gives repentance. He gives forgiveness. And he's already accomplished everything that is necessary.
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