Scripture:
Vs. 25 And He (Jesus) said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! … 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Vs. 32 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?”
Vs. 44 Then He said to them, “… everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures …
Observation:
Jesus has a very high opinion of the scripture.
Jesus has an even higher opinion of Himself.
His high opinion of scripture is because it points to Him.
The laws of Moses AND the warnings of the Prophets AND the songs and praises of the Psalmists, they are all fulfilled in and through Jesus.
Application:
Do I want to “understand” Scripture?
Then I must rely on Jesus.
Even the Proverb “lean NOT on your own understanding” only makes sense when we understand this: “It’s All About Jesus”!
Do I want my “heart to burn when the Scriptures are opened” as they were for these Jesus followers?
Then I must listen for the voice of Jesus in them.
How, though? Well, first I must have faith!
Before these folks recognized Jesus, He called them, “Foolish ones, slow of heart to BELIEVE …”
Do I have faith that the words I’m reading are not simply a daily habit to get through?
I must never think of scripture as mere routine or habit or even discipline.
This belittles the Scripture to a mental gym I “have” to go to.
No! The Scriptures are the Word of God I am GRACED to dive into and hear the voice of the Creator and King and Lord of everything.
May I never take lightly this GIFT!
Prayer:
Thank you again, God, for reminding me of how much a gift your word is.
Help me Spirit to understand them as your voice.
Thank you Jesus for fulfilling everything and saving me and drawing near to me.
Amen.