He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:44-47 NIV
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:19-23 NIV
For the second time that same day, Jesus explained from the scriptures about how he had to die so the sins of men could be forgiven. This time, he was explaining the message he wants his followers to share with Jerusalem and with all people – Jews and Gentiles. “He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem,’” Luke 24:44-47. Jesus used Scripture from different places in the Old Testament to explain how He had to die, rise again so that all people could have the opportunity to respond to His sacrifice with repentance and receive forgiveness from sin.
Some of the scriptures He might have used are Isaiah 53, Isaiah 49:6-7, Psalm 22, Psalm 16:9-11, Genesis 12:1-3, and Exodus 19:5-6. All of these passages refer to different aspects of prophecy about the Messiah and about God’s intent for His people. Read several of these passages and look for the promises God has made to His people, and to us. Look for the language used to describe Messiah’s suffering and the sacrifice required for the forgiveness of sin. Thank Jesus for being that perfect sacrifice – the atonement for all of our sin. Examine your heart, in light of these verses, confess any sin, and accept the forgiveness His shed blood offers to you and to me.
By Grace Hunter
