1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. 7 This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
A NEW COMMUNITY
For many, church is an irrelevant institution filled with self-righteous hypocrites. The Letters of Paul the Apostle paint a very different picture of church – a picture of vitality, community and growth. We see this for example in Paul’s thanksgiving for the church in Colossae.
Thanksgiving. Paul doesn’t thank God that the followers of Jesus in Colossae were ‘religious’. Instead he focuses on three features: their faith, love and hope.
Faith. The Colossians did not just have ‘faith in God’. Their faith was in Christ Jesus who, Paul tells us, enjoys a unique relationship with God the Father. People often say they believe in God, but it is Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who supremely reveals God to us.
Love for all the saints. Their faith was not just intellectual, simply giving a mental nod to God. Rather, their relationship with God showed itself in their relationship with one another. They were a new community, the people of God. The love of which Paul spoke is one that binds people of different national and cultural backgrounds into a unique community.
Hope. It is instructive to note Paul’s expression here: because of the hope laid up for us in heaven. His words are unexpected. There is a causal link between hope and faith and love. Hope is not the outcome of faith and love: it is the cause of it. And this hope is not just Christian optimism. It is the certainty of the coming again of Jesus and the new heaven and earth that he will bring in. The object of our faith is not yet in our full possession. All this opens up quite a different dimension of our understanding of life now. It suggests we need to learn to live now in the light of the age to come – to live now with the taste of that reality in our mouth.
The theme of growth bubbles through these verses. The global expansion of Christianity is going on all over the world, Paul says. And, you may have noticed the emphasis Paul puts on the truth.The gospel, he says, is the word of the truth. He could have left out any reference to the word truth, but he didn’t.
As someone has pointed out, Paul wanted to stress that the Christian message is true – in a counter-intuitive sense: the statements it makes about God and men and women are beyond human invention and imagination. It is also true in an historical sense: the eye-witness accounts of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection were no lie: they are trustworthy. The Christian message is also true in the experiential sense: when we put our trust in Jesus Christ who is at the center of the gospel message, we discover that our faith is not a hoax but a genuine experience.
Because it was the truth, the church in Colossae had formed and was growing. People there had heard and responded to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, in all its truth, preached by pastor Epaphras, empowered by the work of God’s Spirit.
You may want to consider:
the significance of the expression, faith in Jesus Christ, as the focus and meaning of faith;
that the phrase, love for all the saints, implies that faith is not just intellectual or simply the expression of a relationship with God;
Paul’s meaning of hope: it is not a pious ‘hope’ but confidence in the ultimate fulfillment of God’s original promise; we should see life now in the light of the reality that is to come;
the implications of the way that people hear and respond to the gospel.
…Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
EMPOWERED TO SPEAK
Pentecost. The day Jesus switched on the power and the waves of the impact of his life began to spread. In Acts 2 we read of the Day of Pentecost when God came with fire and wind. This Pentecost God was not imparting the Law, as at the time of Moses. Rather he was sending his Spirit and formalizing his new covenant. As God had promised long ago, and as Jesus had taught, the Spirit would not just bring the commands of God; he would also bring a new inner motivation and enthusiasm to keep them.
In the miracle of the wind and fire that day, God signaled how he would achieve the changes he intended. The sound of a mighty wind symbolized the power of Jesus; the fire symbolized the purifying, cleansing work of Jesus; the speech pointed to the good news of Jesus reaching people from every nation. It is on the element of speech that Luke focuses.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
It is the Spirit who empowered those first followers and who empowers us today. It is the Spirit who fans the witness and testimony of God’s people. Consider what happened to those disciples: one moment they were demoralized and defeated and then Pentecost came. Peter, who had so vehemently denied that he even knew Jesus, was now publicly proclaiming that Jesus was Israel’s Messiah. He turned from being a coward to a courageous preacher.
At Peter’s words that Jesus is both Lord and Messiah, his hearers were cut to the heart. It was as though their eyes had been closed but now they suddenly saw who Jesus was. Whereas they had mocked and jeered when Jesus died, they were now ashamed as they saw the truth about him and about themselves. The Spirit not only enabled Peter to preach; his hearers saw the truth. Three thousand responded to the call to repent and be baptized. That day the church was born.
The challenging and exciting thing is that Jesus wants to involve you and me in his work of touching and transforming lives with God’s good news. This is his plan and passion. He wants to draw failed, flawed men and women to the truth, back to what we were meant to be – people made in his image, made to know him and delight in him forever.
You may want to consider:
the content of Peter’s message and the call to repent;
the way in which Jesus’ prayer on the cross, Father, forgive them, has in part been fulfilled by the positive response of so many that Pentecost;
the place of prayer, thanks, and the Word of God in God’s new community.
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Occasionally there are people who have a great and a lasting impact on human history – people like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. However, the one man who stands heads and shoulders above the rest is Jesus Christ. HG Wells who wrote The Time Machine and War of the Worlds once said: I am an historian. I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.
The impact of the three short years of Jesus’ public life didn’t cease when he was crucified. In fact the reverse has occurred, the ripples expanding with the passing of the years.
The closing chapters of Luke’s gospel speak of Jesus’ death, his victorious resurrection and his glorious return to heaven. But, just when we think we have come to the end of the story, we realize it is just the beginning. In his second volume, The Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells us that the story of Jesus didn’t end with his physical departure. He continued to have an impact on countless lives, not through the force of arms, but through the proclamation of his Word. He was Abraham’s and David’s successor, through whom the world would be blessed.
How did this happen? In Acts 1 we read that Jesus’ first followers thought the time had come when he would be enthroned as Israel’s king, David’s successor. They interpreted his teaching about God’s kingdom or rule in political categories. They also applied his teaching about his being God’s king in nationalistic terms – Israel as a nation. They also thought that all this would happen very soon: “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”
We need to remember the comments of the disciples and Jesus’ response to them, when people today make predictions about the end time. ‘That is not your concern,’ Jesus said to the disciples. ‘I have something much more important for you to do with your time and energy.’
The agenda he set them then, and still applies to us now, is found in Acts 1:8, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ‘Your vision is short-sighted and parochial, limited to the nation of Israel,’ he was telling them. ‘Let me give you the big picture: the waves that my life, death and resurrection have set in motion must expand, first here in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth.’
WITNESSES
Witnesses here is significant. The word signifies that he was commissioning those who had been with him during his years of public ministry to tell the world what they had seen and heard. He wanted the world to know that what his followers went on to announce about him is the truth. This is vital. The Bible makes it plain that Christianity is not a religion involving rules, ritual and regulations. Christianity involves a relationship – a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. That’s why it’s so important that we know the truth about him, because meaningful and lasting relationships can only be built on truth. Relationships within families are only meaningful where there is truth and honesty. Without truth there can be no trust.
Now it’s important for us to make a distinction here. Jesus is not expecting that all his followers down through the ages will be witnesses in the way those original disciples were. We can’t be. We weren’t there. But we are called upon to testify to what we believe about Jesus. In 1 Peter 3:15 we read, always be prepared to give an answer for the hope (or the faith) that you have in Jesus Christ. In Colossians 4:6 we read, let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt… As we will explore another day, all of us have a part to play, looking for opportunities and asking questions, stirring others to think seriously about what the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is saying.
Most of us shrivel up with fear at the thought of talking with others about matters of faith. Or we are simply silence by a world of political correctness. Jesus understood how we feel. He encouraged his first disciples by assuring them that they would not be doing this alone, in their own strength. He would send his Spirit to enable and equip them for the task. His promise still applies today – as we will see.
You may want to consider:
the significance of Jesus’ commission to the apostles – they were sent out as witnesses;
the importance of the coming of the Holy Spirit – there was to be divine empowering;
the meaning of the message – it was to touch and transform lives from the inside out.
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence. 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, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
HOPE’S FOUNDATION
Every generation gets caught up in the titanic warfare between good and evil. People today are cynical about politicians, the corporate world (represented by Wall Street), as well as the traditional church. Luke 24 gives us cause for hope – hope for a better future. It is not a hope that is based on a speculation or a feeling, but one that is grounded in the events of the death and resurrection of just one man, Jesus Christ.
Luke 24 describes three scenes following Jesus’ death. In each scene three themes are evident: fear, doubt and deep-down joy. In Luke 24:37 the disciples were startled and frightened; in 24:38 they were troubled and questioning; in 24:41 they were still disbelieving but nevertheless deeply delighted.
The disciples were perplexed as to what the events of the last few days meant. Now, when they saw Jesus they were terrified: was it really him or was it just a ghost? Jesus understood their fear and their doubts: ‘Look at the scars on my hands and feet,’ he says. ‘Touch me. A ghost does not have flesh and bones. Fetch me food to eat’.
In each of the scenes in Luke 24, the Scriptures and Jesus’ own words provide an explanation of what has happened. In this third scene these two elements are brought together, as we see in 24:44 – “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, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”Jesus is saying that even his own words before his crucifixion did not rest upon his own ungrounded assertion. Everything he had taught and done had been written in the Scriptures. His words and actions, including his death and resurrection, could be said to be expositions of the Old Testament law and the prophets. The authority of those Scriptures is the same as the authority with which Jesus speaks.
THE RESURRECTION-A GLORIOUS MESSAGE
Luke 24 is not simply the story of a dead man who came back to life. It is not just a myth of a dying and rising god. It is not simply a fairy-tale that has an unexpected, delightful ending. This is the story that fulfilled God’s ancient words and promises – of his Messiah’s shameful death by crucifixion under the curse of a broken law, suffering the pains of God-forsakenness. Luke 24 was the fitting outcome for the innocent man who had cried out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ The resurrection of Jesus has no significance without his death. It cannot point to forgiveness unless sin has been dealt with. The resurrection is a glorious message because it makes sense of the life and death of Jesus. For the first disciples it had seemed that Jesus’ death was the end of all their hopes. But then they discovered the news that it was in fact the ground of all their hopes – amazing and wonderful news, the power and promise of which is reaches out to for you and me today.
You may want to consider:
1. the striking elements about the scene described here: what does it tell us about Jesus? 2. the implications of Jesus’ response (24:39 and 43) – then and now; 3. the explanation that Jesus gives here (24:44 – 48) of the main purpose of the events surrounding his life, death and resurrection; consider further the implications of his words.
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
HOPE’S ENIGMA
The scene around Jesus’ cross was gruesome. He was naked, exposed to the curiosity of the crowd and the frivolity of the soldiers. “If you are the king of the Jews,” they taunted, “save yourself.” In the midst of this vicious and degrading scene there was irony, for above Jesus’ head Pilate had ordered the charge against him to be written — ‘King of the Jews.’ The extraordinary thing is that Jesus did not curse his tormentors. There is no spirit of revenge. Instead we hear a prayer – “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing”.
Some suggest that Jesus was praying only for the soldiers, but if that were so he would have said, ‘Father, understand them,’ not, ‘Father forgive them.’ They were only carrying out their duty. It is more likely that Jesus was praying that God would forgive the ignorance of all – ignorance of who he is and what we do as ignorant and foolish people. Furthermore, he was praying not just for the crowd, for Pilate or the soldiers, but also for us.
The scene that follows is most instructive, for it shows us that the most important decision we need to make in life has to do with our relationship with Jesus. The first criminal chose to die without him, disparaging the God who had allowed his death. He was contemptuous of Jesus and blasphemed him. He chose to die as he had lived, totally rejecting anything to do with God.
However, the second criminal chose another way to die. This man’s life was no better than his colleague’s: he wasn’t religious or good by any means. He said so himself. Yet something about Jesus seems to have struck this hardened criminal. It may have been the contrast between Jesus’ prayer for his tormentors and the bitter hostility of his colleague. It may have been the righteousness that was so evident in Jesus that awoke this man to his guilt before God, or the tenderness and good will evident in Jesus that allowed him to hope that his prayer would be answered:“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” His words are strikingly simple. In some vague way he understood that Jesus really is God’s king. He took the crucial step of asking the king for a place in his kingdom. It was an eleventh hour repentance. His faith may have had faith no bigger than a mustard seed, but Jesus’ response would have reached the depths of this dying man’s soul: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” To die with Jesus is very different from dying without him.
You may want to consider:
the attitudes of the various groups and people there: why doesn’t Jesus pray, “Father, understand them”?
the different attitudes of the dying men on either side of Jesus: do you agree that their attitudes reflect the two fundamental differences that exist in the human heart when people die?
the meaning and implications of Jesus’ words, “Today you will be with me in paradise”?
Love for all the saints. Their faith was not just intellectual, simply giving a mental nod to God. Rather, their relationship with God showed itself in their relationship with one another. They were a new community, the people of God. The love of which Paul spoke is one that binds people of different national and cultural backgrounds into a unique community.
At Peter’s words that Jesus is both Lord and Messiah, his hearers were cut to the heart. It was as though their eyes had been closed but now they suddenly saw who Jesus was. Whereas they had mocked and jeered when Jesus died, they were now ashamed as they saw the truth about him and about themselves. The Spirit not only enabled Peter to preach; his hearers saw the truth. Three thousand responded to the call to repent and be baptized. That day the church was born.
Now it’s important for us to make a distinction here. Jesus is not expecting that all his followers down through the ages will be witnesses in the way those original disciples were. We can’t be. We weren’t there. But we are called upon to testify to what we believe about Jesus. In 1 Peter 3:15 we read, always be prepared to give an answer for the hope (or the faith) that you have in Jesus Christ. In Colossians 4:6 we read, let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt… As we will explore another day, all of us have a part to play, looking for opportunities and asking questions, stirring others to think seriously about what the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is saying.
In each of the scenes in Luke 24, the Scriptures and Jesus’ own words provide an explanation of what has happened. In this third scene these two elements are brought together, as we see in 24:44 – “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, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Jesus is saying that even his own words before his crucifixion did not rest upon his own ungrounded assertion. Everything he had taught and done had been written in the Scriptures. His words and actions, including his death and resurrection, could be said to be expositions of the Old Testament law and the prophets. The authority of those Scriptures is the same as the authority with which Jesus speaks.
However, the second criminal chose another way to die. This man’s life was no better than his colleague’s: he wasn’t religious or good by any means. He said so himself. Yet something about Jesus seems to have struck this hardened criminal. It may have been the contrast between Jesus’ prayer for his tormentors and the bitter hostility of his colleague. It may have been the righteousness that was so evident in Jesus that awoke this man to his guilt before God, or the tenderness and good will evident in Jesus that allowed him to hope that his prayer would be answered: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” His words are strikingly simple. In some vague way he understood that Jesus really is God’s king. He took the crucial step of asking the king for a place in his kingdom. It was an eleventh hour repentance. His faith may have had faith no bigger than a mustard seed, but Jesus’ response would have reached the depths of this dying man’s soul: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” To die with Jesus is very different from dying without him.