10/09/2021
Before He ascended, Jesus opened the minds of His disciples so that they could understand the scriptures, and in the knowledge of this we should be asking ourselves if we have made ourselves available to receive that same understanding from Him.
“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,”
Luke 24:45-46 ESV
We read, and reread, scripture, and each time we do so, our insight into it should be growing. Just as the disciples had previously read aloud these verses in the synagogue, and had understood them as every Jew had for hundreds of years, we have read the Bible as Christians for hundreds of years, but shouldn’t we be seeing it with a deeper understanding? Shouldn’t we be gaining insight into God’s Word as Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, makes it clear to us? Not through reinvention, or reinterpretation, but as we are given a deeper understanding.
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”
Numbers 23:19 ESV
There are many self proclaimed men of God today who twist scripture in an attempt to justify earthly lives of sin, and call this a renewed insight into the teaching of God’s Word, but they are false preachers, and prophets. God’s Word is unchanging in meaning, and breadth. What Jesus gave His disciples was not change, but understanding, and not the understanding of men, but an understanding from God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
We are to receive God’s understanding not ours, but how is it that we can tell the difference? We will know it because of divine revelation, and will recognize it because it will not have changed a Word of what God has given us. Jesus told us that He had not come to abolish the law, and indeed he did not, and in our study today He isn’t changing the verses He gave His disciples a deeper understanding of. We gauge the truth of teachings, and prophesies by comparing them with established truths already given.
““Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
Matthew 5:17-18 ESV
As we read the Bible again, or delve into certain passages, we often receive a new insight that takes us by surprise, and opens up an understanding that we never had before. But, when this occurs we should question ourselves in the same way we do others. We should ask ourselves… is my apparent revelation consistent with all the other scripture that has been given us? Is this my understanding, or is it from God.
Satan is a liar, and he knows the Bible intimately, so he is an expert at twisting it, and using it against us. He calls good the things that God calls abominations, and tells us that God’s Word means things it does not… like he did in the garden of Eden. If Satan could convince Eve, he can certainly convince us if we are not at the ready. So our guard should always be up, and we should seek the truth in fear, trembling, and prayer.
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””
Genesis 3:1-5 ESV
So, We should be open to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, as they give us insight into The Word, and be available to them as we are lead into greater depths of understanding. We should be prepared to receive new revelations, but always seek confirmation of them through prayer, and by comparison to God’s established truths. He is unchanging, and all He says is true… are we ready to be blessed with understanding?
“The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Isaiah 40:7-8 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for opening our minds to a deeper understanding of your Word, and thank you for the gift of discernment that allows us to know that what we have received is truly from you. Grow us in our faith Father, and bless us as we walk our own personal road towards Emmaus with Jesus; listening as He enlightens us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, the depth of whom knows no end. Praised be your name for every new insight into you we receive, and each new understanding of your Word. Great are you whose Son opens our minds, and whose Spirit helps us to further fathom your depths. Give us understanding as you wash us clean with the blood of Christ, and forgive us our sins. Call us worthy, saying we please you, and announcing us to be your children. Hear our prayers Lord as we worship you, and welcome us in to k to our eternal presence.
“And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?””
Luke 24:25-32 ESV
Rich Forbes