Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 28

Luke 24:44-49…

See yourself…

Then he opened their minds. The disciples were guilty of unbelief. Still, there was a natural inability to understand the Scriptures which had to be removed (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:14). Now Jesus helps them realize all that has been going on. He focuses on the persecution of Messiah, the proclamation of the gospel, and the promise of the Holy Spirit.

The rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection of Messiah was a prominent theme in the Old Testament (cf. 1 Peter 1:10-12). The faithful knew that the Lord Jesus would have to suffer (cf. Luke 2:34-35). Jesus had told the disciples this before (Luke 9:21-23, 44-45, 18:31-34). God had ordained all of this, and Jesus was standing there as living proof of the plan.

The fact that the gospel would be for all nations was actually part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:3 / cf. Galatians 3:8-9). The prophets affirmed this promise of salvation for the Gentiles (Joel 2:28-32 / Haggai 2:3-9). The disciples would be worldwide witnesses for Christ.

But they were to wait for the power. The promise of the Holy Spirit was also something that had been prophesied (Isaiah 32:12-20, 44:1-5, 59:20-21 / Ezekiel 37:1-14, 39:29). Jesus had spoken of the Holy Spirit as comforter (John 14:16-17), as teacher (John 14:26), as a witness (John 15:26), and as One who would bring conviction (John 16:7-11), and revelation (John 16:12-15).

It was all part of the plan. Where God guides He provides. He has this thing all planned out. Ask God to open your mind and heart, so that you can see yourself included in the sweep of the Scriptures (Romans 8:28-39 / Ephesians 1:3-14).

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