Luke 24:44-51

The New Message And The New Power (24:44-51)

In Mark 1:15 the Gospel is summarised as, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingly Rule of God is at hand, repent and believe in the Good News.' In other words ‘the time spoken of by Scripture is here, God's Kingly Rule is at hand, and the conditions for entering that Kingly Rule are repentance and faith.' In the speeches in Acts this is expanded by introducing the Good News concerning Jesus into the pattern, for by His enthronement in Heaven He has become the essence of the Kingly Rule of God. He has become the King. But otherwise the message follows a similar pattern. (See  The Speeches in Acts).

The same pattern is now revealed in the closing verses of Luke. In accordance with it we are told that the Scriptures must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44), a brief summary of the work of Jesus is given describing His death and subsequent rising to God in resurrection (Luke 24:46), and this is then followed by the call to repentance and forgiveness (Luke 24:47). Here then is the pattern of early preaching in miniature, and the basis on which Peter patterned his own messages, following the example of Jesus Himself, and building on the experience that he had had during Jesus' earthly ministry. This is the content of the message to which the Apostles are to be witnesses (Luke 24:48). All that is then required is for them to wait to receive power from above with which to carry out the task (Luke 24:49). This is then followed by Jesus' final farewell and ascension into Heaven (Luke 24:50).