Luke 24:45: “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”

To understand this in context, you have to read all of Luke 24. Two disciples of Jesus’ were on their way to Emmaus and met Jesus. They shared their experience with the 11 disciples of Jesus, assuring them that Jesus had , indeed risen from the dead. While they were recounting their experience, Jesus appeared. He asked them why the were troubled and doubted. He showed them his hands and feet and told them to touch him and ate fish in their presence. Luke 24:44, 45: “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning me. And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”

Let this be a caution to people who think they know all there is to know about the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 10:12.

It amazes me how often we quote certain scriptures We become so familiar with them that we think we understand them completely. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NKJV) says, “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

Jesus is the Living Word and the written Word (the Bible) is alive with the power of God. Our understanding of the Word changes, not with meaning, but in depth of understanding.

This morning I woke up with this scripture in mind, Luke 16: 24 (NKJV) : “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” In this season of my life, I have been struggling with a few things. It became so clear to me that my struggles were because these situations were requiring me to deny my SELF. The Lord was telling me that I had to deny myself( the “right to myself”: the right to be happy, to have me-time, to be angry, frustrated, offended, impatient, and weary, etc.), before I could take up my cross (die to myself), and unless I was willing to die to myself, I could not/would not follow Him.

With this understanding came a freedom. There was a weight that was lifted off my shoulders. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Romans 12:1,2 (NIV): “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Matthew 10: 37-39; 16;23-28; Luke 9:23-27; 14:25-35; Philippians 21-16a.