The End and the Beginning . . .

As a college professor, I see students graduate every May. It’s the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another in their lives. Toward the end of the semester, they go through several checklists—complete classes, submit assignments, take exams, turn in library books, and pay fees.

As they reached the final days of Jesus’s life on earth, the disciples and the Lord went through a long checklist. Luke narrated the first half at the end of his Gospel and the second half in the Book of Acts.

Jesus appeared to the apostles and others while the men on the road to Emmaus narrated their testimonies. He showed them his hands and feet and ate before them. Then, he explained that everything spoken in Moses, the prophets, and the psalms about him had been fulfilled (Luke 24:44). Then, he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, which stated that Christ needed to suffer and resurrect after three days for the forgiveness of sins in his name—a message they needed to proclaim among all the nations, beginning with Jerusalem (24:45–47).

Afterward, the Lord commissioned them, saying, “You are witnesses to these. I will send the promise of my Father upon you. You wait in this city until you are clothed with power from above” (24:48–49). As the second book will explain, this power was the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them.

The third event on the checklist was a journey. They traveled from Jerusalem to Bethany, where Jesus raised his hand and blessed them (24:50). As he was blessing them, he separated from them and was taken up into heaven (24:51).

In the final chapter, the gathered people, including the apostles, worshipped him there and joyfully returned to Jerusalem (24:52). In Jerusalem, they entered the temple and praised God (24:53).

Whatever doubts they might have had about Jesus and his resurrection had passed. They were renewed with the strength and power to worship him and praise God, knowing that the prophecies of the Old Testament had been fulfilled.

Even now, those who believe in him and his resurrection are empowered by the power from high to be his witnesses and proclaim a profound message: forgiveness of sins in his name. May we be faithful to this message!