Opening minds to the scriptures

Luke 24:44-49

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The whole Bible is about Jesus. Everything that came before – the law, the prophets and the writings – are all pointing towards him. Everything in the Old Testament is fulfilled by Jesus’ death and resurrection. It would have been wonderful to have Jesus himself “open their minds to understand the scriptures”! Understanding, for the first time, how it all fits together must have been the biggest “Aha!” moment in history.

We are fortunate, too. Just as Jesus revealed the scriptures to his disciples, the Holy Spirit helps us understand the truth about Jesus. When we read the scriptures in partnership with the Holy Spirit, he gives us our own “Aha!” moments. I love it when I am reading the Bible and, suddenly, something jumps off the page and touches me in a fresh way or gives me fresh understanding. That’s the Holy Spirit teaching me. But I also need to respond to his teaching – by allowing it to change me – and by proclaiming the message of Jesus to others. He helps me understand what Jesus has done, and he empowers me to be involved in what he is doing now.

Father God, it blows my mind to know that your plan, revealed in ages past, was all brought to fulfilment in Jesus. Thank you for letting me be part of what you have done and what you are doing now. Holy Spirit, please help me proclaim the message of Jesus in the authority of his name. Amen

Written by Megan Cornell