2 Facts

Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, 

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved 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 among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:45-47

We think that it is all about us and we move and act according to our thoughts and perspective.  And while this is completely natural and expected by the world, it is not conducive when it comes to walking out the will of God for our lives.  Why do I say this?  God tells us:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9

God's vision of the world will develop in us only as we learn more about what God says in His Word about the world. There is a "master key" for understanding the Biblical world view; a special passage which unlocks the meaning to all of the Word of God. This master key permits us to understand the premise and contents of the entire Bible. It enables us to see the world as God sees it. 

Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved 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 among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  Luke 24:45-47

Note the words "Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures." This means Jesus was giving His disciples two important facts, which would help them understand all of God's Word. If you do not understand these two facts, you will not truly understand the Word of God.  

v     "It `behooved' Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead."

It "behooved" Jesus to suffer. This means it was necessary for Him to suffer to reconcile sinful man with a righteous God. This is a key truth behind the message of the entire Bible.

God said the wages of sin were physical, spiritual, and eternal death:

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.   Genesis 2:17

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Romans 6:23

God wrapped himself in flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and came into the world to die in the place of sinful mankind:  

For as by one man's disobedience [Adam] many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one [Jesus] shall many be made righteous.   Romans 5:19

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.   John 3:16

When God looks at the world, He sees sinful mankind in need of a Savior:  

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.   Romans 3:23

Through belief in Jesus and repentance from sin, man can be reconciled with God and receive the gift of eternal life!

v     "That repentance and remission of sins should be preached.”

The second part of the master key to God's word is that repentance and remission of sins must be preached in Jesus' name in all nations. This means believers have an important responsibility:  

When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.   Ezekiel 3:18-19

Even though Jesus died for all mankind, everyone is not automatically saved from sin. Each person has a free will and must decide whether or not he will repent [turn from sin] and accept Jesus as Savior. In order to believe in Jesus and receive forgiveness of sin, people must first come to know about Him:  

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  Romans 10:13-14

To preach repentance and remission of sins is called evangelizing or spreading the Gospel. The subject of evangelizing the world was a constant theme of Jesus' conversation with His followers after His resurrection from the dead. 

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  John 20:21   

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  Mark 16:15   (Also see John 21:15-17; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:44-48.)

When we talk with someone for the last time, we tend to focus on that which is most important. The final words of Jesus before returning to Heaven concerned evangelizing:  

But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

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