Get Your Mind Opened
After Jesus' crucifixion the disciples were overcome with sadness, fright and a loss of purpose. Even though Jesus had told them he was going to be crucified and be in the grave three days and three nights, they didn't seem to get the part about Jesus being resurrected. On the first day of the week some of the women went to the tomb to place spices on the body and instead found two men in the tomb with clothes that gleamed like lightning. (Luke 24:4) Wow!! That must have been some sight. They were frightened, but before you blame them, think how you would feel if something like that happened to you. These two men told the women that Jesus was not there and reminded them of what Jesus had told them. "Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.?'" (Verse 6) After they were reminded they remembered. Their memory needed a little jogging.
But get this. When they went back to the Eleven (the twelve disciples minus Judas) and told them what they had seen they did not believe the women because their words seemed like nonsense to them. These were the chosen disciples Jesus was going to use to build his church!! Jesus had told them what was going to happen, now the women were confirming that it did happen but it seemed like nonsense. This should be an encouragement to us when we go through periods of doubt. If the disciples who physically walked with Jesus every day had trouble believing, we're in in good company. (Does that fit with "misery likes company?") Actually it's not an excuse to doubt. Instead it should be an incentive to believe.
There were two men walking on the road going to Emmaus. These were not of the Eleven but they were followers of Jesus. They too were having trouble figuring everything out. As they walked and talked, Jesus came up and joined them and asked what they were talking about. They were kept from recognizing him. They told Jesus all about the recent happenings in Jerusalem and what the women had told the disciples about not finding Jesus in the tomb. Jesus called them foolish and slow to believe and began to explain prophecy to them, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets. (The Scriptures.) When they reached their lodging place, at their urging, Jesus joined them and when he blessed and broke the bread their eyes were opened and they recognized who he was. Then he disappeared!!
These two men returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and told them what had happened and while they were talking Jesus himself came and stood among them. He reminded them of what he had told them when he was still with them and again referred to Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. "Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (Verse 45)
I think often times we need to have our minds opened. The Scriptures are our daily bread but if we don't understand them we aren't getting fed. God created us with minds and he wants us to use them. Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. When our minds are renewed then we are able to approve what God's will is. Heb.8:10 talks about having God's laws put in our minds.
As you daily read God's word, pray that your mind will be opened that you can better understand what God is saying and how it applies to your life. The disciples were so quick to forget what Jesus had told them. In this case we do not want to "go do likewise." We should use their experience to realize that the devil is there to quickly snatch away what we have read and heard. (Luke 8:11-12) We are not ignorant of his devices, we have the helmet of salvation which is the spiritual piece of armor that covers our brains, the seat of our minds. Then we can wield the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:17)
Let's get our minds opened.
God is good all the time,
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