January 09, 2023 | Be On Mission
Jesus' Resurrection Appearances
Scripture: Acts 1:1-3 (NIV)
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Devotional
In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he wrote, “Our dear friend Luke, the doctor… send[s] greetings” (Colossians 4:14; see also Philemon 1:24). This Dr. Luke was a historian and traveling companion on Paul’s missionary journeys. He decided it was important to write a two-part history of the Christian faith: the Gospel of Luke (a history of Jesus) and the Book of Acts (a history of the early Church).
In these first three verses of Acts, Luke reminds the reader that everything is grounded in the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. In fact, this year-long study is based on that truth. It’s all about Jesus.
This study will follow the chronology of Luke’s Book of Acts. Then, when appropriate, it will delve into the people and places and topics mentioned in Acts to understand them more clearly. For example, when the Book of Acts tells the ministry of Peter, we will pause to read 1 & 2 Peter. And when Acts travels to Ephesus, we will take a detour to read the Book of Ephesians. When Stephen gives a chapter long summary of the Hebrew faith in the Old Testament, we will do a deeper dive by reading the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. By doing so, this study will cover the entire New Testament beyond the four Gospels.
And as you read and reflect, you will discover the same truth that Luke arrived at. It’s all about Jesus. Take a moment and compare the verses in today’s readings with the first few verses in the Gospel of Luke:
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)
What was Dr. Luke’s goal in writing both Luke and Acts? What is your goal as you embark on this year-long journey through the New Testament?
Poem
All Done and Done, Now Do
Beloved of God
We sit and watch
We hear and learn
Christ incarnate among us
He's done and done
And done still more
All done and done
Now do
Beloved of God
We witness pain
Then empty tomb
Christ reconciling for us
He's done and done
And done still more
All done and done
Now do
Beloved of God
A choosing here
A mission clear
Christ breathing Holy Spirit
He's done and done
And done still more
All done and done
Now you
Beloved of God
Christ's kingdom come
Christ's will be done
Christ charge commision on us
He's done and done
And done still more
All done and done
Now you
