Early in Luke we read that he wrote his gospel to Theophilus so that he might have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we conclude our series through Luke’s gospel this week, we hear of Jesus speaking to his disciples saying that everything about him in the Scriptures must be fulfilled. This includes his suffering, death and resurrection, and “that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.”

Whilst he declared, ‘It is finished!’ on the cross, and was soon to ascend to his Father’s right hand, the work of proclaiming the promise of God and what Jesus, the Messiah, had accomplished still remained. This task of proclaiming is given to his disciples, who, as witnesses of Jesus’ death and resurrection, were certain of what they had seen and heard. Only after they were ‘clothed with power from on high’ were they to undertake this mission.

The very nature of God and his inspired word, uttered by the prophets and recorded in Scripture, means we too can have certainty concerning these things. He is the Lord – when he speaks; it shall come to pass; He will do it. Jesus Christ has suffered and died, and he has been raised, and repentance and forgiveness has been secured and granted to all who hear this gospel and believe.