Opened Their Minds

Lk. 24:32

They said to each other, Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures.

On the road to Emmaus, the newly resurrected Jesus walked and talked with two disciples. Toward evening they ate together and Jesus broke bread and gave it to them. At that point their eyes were opened, and they knew it was Jesus. Looking back, they remembered that their hearts burned within them as He opened the Scriptures to them. Such a work as this the Spirit of God does within us! When we hear the Word, our hearts burn within us, His convicting power brings change and is our driving force for action. What was the result of their personal encounter? They went and told the other disciples. The good news was spread. The mission was begun!

Later, Jesus appeared to His disciples in the room. He revealed Himself to them in His resurrection form, a form that was still God and man. He still operated with a fleshly body. He wanted them to touch Him and to allow Him to eat. After calming their fears, He reminded them what He had told them earlier, He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. What He had told them earlier or even what had happened didn't really make sense to them until His power was put into operation in their minds. A man may study the Bible untold hours but still not grasp its true meaning unless the Spirit has opened his mind to understand. Jesus knew this fact and gave the greatest gift possible to His followers: the Holy Spirit. He indwells us and teaches us constantly. He convicts of sin (makes our hearts burn within us), brings all things to our memory that Jesus said (reminding us what we have heard and read earlier), and teaches us what all these things mean (opens our minds to understand the Scriptures). What a glorious account that reveals to us concretely the ministry of the Spirit and the Word in our lives! The Scriptures must be understood and applied. They are Jesus; He was the living Word, the logos. Through them and the power of the Spirit we are clothed with power from on high.

Father,

Open my mind to understand Your words. Keep me vitally connected to Your great power at work in Your words and in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen