April 8, 2022 – Friday
Luke 24:46-47 NIV
46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Comment.
The above is Jesus speaking to His disciples after His resurrection and shortly before His ascension into heaven. Many have wondered where it is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and I wish to address that before we get to verse 47 above.
First of all it is not written in the exact words that Jesus uses, but in words that can easily be understood to mean the words He uses. Let’s look at two of them. First Psalm 16:9-11, 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your holy one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. These verses in David’s 16th Psalm are considered to be prophetic about the future Messiah as they could not be about David himself. Note how David writes, you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead certainly meaning a resurrection of some sort. Then going on David writes, nor will you let your holy one see decay. This implies the resurrection would be on the third day, as it was believed a dead body only begins decay on the third day. And finally, the Messiah will spend eternity at the right hand of God.
Our second example comes from Isaiah 53:10-11 where we read, 10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Here it is clear the Messiah’s life would be an offering for sin and he will bear their iniquities. Yet, After he has suffered, he will see the light of life or as we know it, he will be resurrected.
Then we come to verse 47 where the prediction of Christ’s death and resurrection is joined with the necessary response – repentance with the resultant wonderful benefit of forgiveness. The verse, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Jesus took on our sins, was crucified to pay the price for our sins, and rose on the third day so that we might repent for the forgiveness of our sins. Make the prior sentence personal by changing the word ‘our’ to ‘my’ and see what happens, Jesus took on my sins, was crucified to pay the price for my sins, and rose on the third day so that I might repent for the forgiveness of my sins. I don’t have to repent; I can refuse to do so and miss the forgiveness that is offered.
Bottom Line: Isaiah prophesied Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection approximately 700 years before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. If I want the promised forgiveness, I must decide and repent before my years run out.
Prayer: Almighty God, Thank You for the incredible gift of Grace. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek