Passion Week – The Next Forty Days

After the Resurrected Christ revealed Himself to His disciples, His mission continued.  He had come to reconcile the world to Himself, but His death and resurrection were only the first steps.  The world still had to be told the Good News!  Jesus purposely extended His stay on this earth to prepare His disciples for their mission.

He began by wiping away Peter’s guilt and shame.  He gently forgave and restored him by asking him three times to “feed my lambs”.  Many of the disciples were present, so Jesus’ message of forgiveness was probably not lost on them.  After all, they had also deserted Him. 

With the restoration complete, the real teaching began.  Jesus had taught them much during His three years of ministry, but it was often beyond their understanding.  After the resurrection, Jesus “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45a NIV84). Then, He gave them the mission that would change the world.

 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19, 20 NIV84).

That “Great Commission” was not just for the Disciples.  It is still the commission of every Christian today.  We have an obligation to take the Gospel to distant lands, but I submit that we also have an obligation to those around us.  There is someone in our family, our work, our school, or our neighborhood who needs Jesus.  It is our responsibility to take the Gospel message to them.  The Disciples boldly took the Good News to the farthest corners of the then-known world.  They did so, knowing the danger that every day brought.  They did so willingly because they knew that only Jesus offers hope, peace, and eternal salvation.  That message hasn’t changed.  Isn’t it time that we proclaimed the saving grace of Jesus Christ to a world that is lost?

Read: Matthew 28:16 – 20, Luke 24:44 – 49, & John 21:15 – 25

Food for Thought:

• Who do you know who needs Jesus?  What can you do to introduce them to your Savior? Hint: Begin with prayer.
• How do you perceive your role in fulfilling the Great Commission?  What do you need to change (i.e., thinking, use of resources, boldness) to be more persistent in spreading the Gospel message?

For one fictional account of the days after the Resurrection, read Chapter 23 of The Shepherd’s Quest, by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.