How astonishing it was to commission the complaining, unqualified disciples to preach the gospel to the world!
Shortly before this call, Jesus reproved them for their unbelief, and hardheartedness, and immediately after this reproof, he called them apostles, and put the responsibility for preaching the world on their shoulders and into their hearts.
What a great comfort it is to see that he who was raised from the dead did not send good, strong saints to overcome the spirits, and preach the world, but he accepted losers, cowards, and those of little faith!
It is understood that the apostles learnt from the unique call that they could not do anything good for God, and that God worked in their weakness. They also understood that their righteousness was dead and negative, and that they were thickheaded for they neither understood the resurrection of Christ from the dead, nor believed his triumph, but rejected the testimony of the eyewitnesses.
Yet, the Living One was merciful to them. He appeared in their midst, and convinced them of his true, tangible presence. His address to them justified them, and his love strengthened them. He appeared to them to strengthen, encourage, and bless them. He filled them with his gospel. He himself is the Gospel, and the center of their preaching.
He spoke to them in the following meanings: “Do not remain sitting frightfully, but run in my name. Do not turn around yourselves, but go ahead, seeking strangers. Do not join meditation meetings with other believers, but search for the evil and the good ones. Seek the fool and the genius. Neglect neither the rich nor the poor, for all are dead in sins. No man is righteous of himself. All are in urgent need of the forgiveness of the Lamb of God. No creature lives of himself. It is appointed for all men to die, but he who believes in the Son of God has everlasting life. The Son of God is he who said: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’”
The appearance of him, who was raised from the dead, made the disciples eyewitnesses of the truth. At that time, they did not understand the meaning of his death and the profoundness of his reconciliation, but were conclusively ascertained that Jesus was alive and not dead. The cross was not his end, for he went out of the tomb. He is the Triumphant One, and death has no power over him.
Charged with this belief, they set out to the world of sins and things, which perish, and they revealed the life of God apparent in Christ. Their gospel did not aim at earthly things, nor was it on the level of the Caesar about the victory of his armies, or the appointment of his successor, but it was a divine gospel, which contained a message to every creature. God gave his own life in Christ to whoever believes. Death is not the inevitable end any further. A new hope has dwelt in the hearts of all those who believe in Christ.
The apostles felt the breadth, length, and height of the kingdom of God. They observed the beginning of the new creation, which also included in its end the animals, plants with atoms, and stars. The nature of the new creation appeared in him who was raised from the dead. Therefore, every mortal must be renewed with the power of the life of God. The Son has reconciled the evil world to his Father, and he therefore has the right and the authority to set up a new creation, to carry out the renewal of the universe, and to put away death, sin and Satan. Money, possession, and earthly power with ease are not the aim of the gospel. The living Christ is the example and the great end of those who believe in him. Study the word of God, and understand its essence that you may know the meaning and the great end of the gospel ministry.
Are you still immersed in sins and hurrying towards death? Christ rose from the dead. He calls you, doubtful loser, and takes you away from your destruction that you may live with him forever. Are you afraid of death and judgment?
Christ is alive. If you give yourself to him truly, you will rise today from the dead, triumphantly, living with him forever, and he will make you an apostle of his life. When the life of God dwells in you, you will no more be selfish, but you will get up and hasten to bring the message of the living God to others.
Our religion is not that of law, judgment, and death, but it is distinguished by the scent of good life.