Making Good on the Promise

Rev. J. Loren Russell

Luke 24:44-49

“Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

I thank God for the different perspectives we get from the Gospels. In the gospel of John, we are told that Thomas doubted. (John 20:25). Matthew’s gospel does not identify a specific disciple who doubted, so there may have been others. From Luke’s gospel, it appears that there was indeed collective doubt. They did not fully understand what the prophets predicted, or the psalms declared. I believe the Lord told them to tarry, to wait, to help their unbelief.

After Jesus opens their understanding, He explains to them that He had to suffer, be crucified, and resurrected to satisfy the messianic prophecy, validate the declaration of the psalms, and to fulfill the Promise.

Their collective doubt made it necessary for them to wait and be empowered. Jesus knew who He was working with. Just three days before, except for John, all His disciples had forsaken Him, abandoning Him in His darkest moment. But His desire is to make good on the Promise He made to empower them. The time was swiftly coming for Kingdom building and this rag-tag bunch of misfits were to be the craftsmen, but they had to first be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The disciples did as they were instructed, they waited. The Bible says that Jesus appeared to them in the upper room and gave them reassurance. Acts1:8 says Jesus told them, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” He wasn’t joking. On the Day of Pentecost, “they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” This was Jesus making good on His promise.

The people who had assembled for the celebration of Pentecost heard those gathered in the upper room speaking in their own languages. They marveled, and when Peter lifted his voice to preach the unadulterated Gospel, they too experienced the Promise. The Bible says in Act 2:41-42, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

The promise was not just for the Disciples, but for all those who would believe, including believers today. When the Promise is fulfilled in our lives, we are charged with the same task given to the original followers: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:18-20). Then there is the assurance of the Promise, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen!” (v. 20b). Jesus is still making good on the Promise!

Blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of the Evangelical Church of God, both in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096) and is the executive producer and host of “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on the Matters of Faith YouTube Channel and Facebook Live. Be sure to ‘Friend’ us. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.