In Matthew Jesus tells his disciples to teach all nations and baptize them. Many churches have excellent education programs and thrilling worship. But many of these same churches fail to proclaim repentance and offer the forgiveness of sins. Salvation is not merely a matter of knowing certain information about Jesus. Neither is it only a matter of feeling inspired.
Salvation involves daily repentance and daily renewal through the forgiveness of sins.
T he third theme in Luke's gospel is eucharist. Only Luke tells the story of how the risen Christ revealed himself in the breaking of the bread to the two men traveling on the road to Emmaus. Here our Lord came to people in their deepest moment of disappointment and despair and raised them to new life through the sacrament of holy communion. They were blessed by his presence and grateful to him for having come to them. I n Greek the words for blessing, gratitude, and communion are all related.