From Resurrection to Commission

Ephesians 1:15–23 ESV

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Luke 24:44–53 ESV

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Theme: Jesus prepares His disciples through Scripture, sends them with a mission, and ascends to reign in glory. Proposition: Because Christ has fulfilled the Scriptures, commissioned His witnesses, and ascended in glory, we must live as joyful worshipers and faithful messengers.

Introduction

Good morning, beloved. Today we come to the final verses of the Gospel of Luke—a passage filled with wonder, clarity, and commissioning. Here we stand with the disciples, still amazed by the risen Lord. After Jesus’ resurrection, He appears to His followers, not just to prove that He is alive, but to prepare them for what is to come.

This is no ordinary farewell. This is a transition from one phase of redemptive history to another—from the earthly ministry of Christ to the Spirit-empowered mission of the Church.

Luke 24:44–53 gives us three foundational truths for Christian living and ministry:

Christ fulfills the Scriptures.

Christ commissions His witnesses.

Christ ascends and is worshiped.

Let us walk through this sacred moment and allow our hearts to be gripped by the glory of the risen and reigning Christ.

1. Christ Fulfills the Scriptures (vs. 44–46)

John 5:39 ESV

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,

“Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’” (v. 44)

Jesus begins with a Bible study.

He points His disciples to the Scriptures—what we call the Old Testament—the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. He shows them that everything written about Him was not accidental but divinely ordained. His birth, His suffering, His death, and now His resurrection were all part of God's eternal plan.

Notice in verse 45, Luke says:

“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”

This is more than academic knowledge; it is spiritual illumination. Jesus helps them see that “the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” (v. 46). He connects the dots, revealing that the cross was not a detour but the design.

Think of the road to Emmaus earlier in the chapter—how their hearts burned as He explained the Scriptures. Now, Jesus does the same for the larger group. Why? Because faith must be rooted in the Word.

Application: Today, our faith is not built on feelings or fables. It is grounded in God’s Word. The resurrection is not a myth—it’s a fulfillment. We must be people of the Word. Like those disciples, we need Jesus to open our minds to understand the Scriptures—to see Him as the centerpiece of all God’s promises.

2. Christ Commissions His Witnesses (vs. 47–49)

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

“...that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (vv. 47–48)

Having opened their eyes to the truth, Jesus now opens their mouths with a mission. He declares that repentance and forgiveness are to be proclaimed—not just in Israel—but to all nations. This is the Great Commission in Luke’s language.

The message is clear:

The world is lost in sin.

Repentance is necessary.

Forgiveness is possible through Jesus’ name.

And who will carry this message? “You are witnesses of these things.”

They had seen the crucified Christ. They had touched the risen Lord. Now, they were to speak what they had seen and heard.

But they were not to go alone.

“And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.” (v. 49)

This “promise” is the Holy Spirit—the power from on high that would come at Pentecost. The mission was great, but the power of God would be greater.

Application: We, too, are witnesses. No, we have not seen the risen Christ with our physical eyes, but we have seen Him with the eyes of faith. The same Spirit that empowered the apostles empowers us today. The church must never lose sight of her mission—to call the world to repentance and offer the forgiveness found in Christ alone.

3. Christ Ascends and Is Worshiped (vs. 50–53)

John 16:7 ESV

7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

“Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” (vv. 50–51)

What a glorious scene.

Jesus, having taught them, commissioned them, and promised them power, now lifts His hands in blessing—and ascends. He is not vanishing in defeat. He is being exalted in victory.

This is not the end of His story. It is the beginning of His heavenly reign.

He ascends to the right hand of the Father.

He reigns as King and Lord.

He intercedes for His people.

And how do the disciples respond?

“And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” (vv. 52–53)

This is remarkable. Instead of sorrow at His departure, they rejoice. Why? Because they now understand that His absence in body means His presence in power.

Application: Jesus reigns. He is not far off; He is seated in glory and working through His people. Our proper response is worship, joy, and obedience. Like those early disciples, we must be filled with wonder and devotion, celebrating our risen, reigning Savior.

Conclusion

From resurrection to commission, from promise to ascension—Luke 24 closes not with an ending, but with a launching. The risen Christ is the fulfillment of Scripture, the sender of witnesses, and the exalted King.

So what about us?

Let us build our lives on the foundation of Scripture.

Let us live as Spirit-empowered witnesses to the risen Christ.

Let us worship with joy, knowing our King reigns in glory.

Amen.