Director’s Letter
Opening the Scriptures
Repentance and the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in Jesus’ name to all the nations.
“Then [Jesus] 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.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:44–45)
The ascendant Jesus asserts that all the Scriptures concern Himself. All was necessary and sequenced according to God’s eternal plan of salvation. By divine decree, the Christ was anointed and sent to work mankind’s restoration unto its Creator. What, by faith, was imprinted on the hearts of those who appeared in the Scriptures? That the One anointed as Savior should suffer and die and on the third day rise again from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
By the preaching and delivery of the Word, sinners are saved and arrive at the joys of Paradise with the risen Lord Jesus. He is the only mediator between God and man, and He continues His mediating work through His disciples who open their mouths and speak. Through them, in Christ alone, repentance and the forgiveness of sins are ever and always to be preached. In the forgiveness of sins, you are remade to hear and know and understand the Scriptures, to confess God in Christ, and to behold His glory revealed as the purpose and fulfillment of all creation. The Scriptures are opened to disciples, and thus the Scriptures, by divine grace, are made available to all.
This issue of Lutherans Engage the World delivers inspiring stories of those who love and believe in these Scriptures. In turn, they constantly “speak” the Word of God to others — in verbal proclamation, yes, but also in marvelous deeds of mercy for their neighbors. We thank God for them and for your stewardship that makes such magnificent efforts possible.
In His hands,
Rev. Kevin D. Robson
Chief Mission Officer, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
