Theme: Having Your Eyes Opened
This week’s lessons teach us about the wide variety of ways in which the whole Old Testament points to Jesus.
Scripture: Luke 24:17-37
I say as we end this week of Easter readings that I do not know how much of what I have presented this week is what the Lord preached that day on his walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus. But it was a long trip. It would have taken several hours. And I suppose, therefore, that Jesus preached not only what I have tried to explain here, but also a great deal more besides. What I am certain of is this: The Lord preached the gospel from the Old Testament. And not only did he preach it that day, the first Easter day, but he continues to preach it today—wherever and whenever those who love him study his Word to seek where he may be found.
And you know, that is what he did with the Emmaus disciples. When he appeared to them he first opened their eyes to understand who he was. He did that on the basis of his teaching of the Old Testament, as we have seen. But then, once he had opened their eyes to see him in the Scriptures, we are told at the very end of the chapter that he opened their minds that they might have an even fuller understanding of all that had been written of himself. Luke writes: “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things’” (Luke 24:45-48).
Do you want to be wise? If so, that is the way to be wise. Do you want to grow in knowledge? If so, that is the way to grow in knowledge. Read this book, beginning with Genesis, and go all the way through it to the end of Revelation. And as you read it, ask the Lord Jesus Christ, who speaks in it, to preach his own Easter sermon to your heart. I assure you that if you do that sincerely and prayerfully, the Bible will never be the same for you again. And in addition to that, you will never be the same, because you will find the Lord Jesus Christ everywhere in Scripture and discover that it will be your greatest delight in life to serve him.
Study Questions:
Given the importance of the Old Testament for Jesus and the apostles, why do you think Christians should continue to study the Old Testament more than they sometimes do?
Read 1 Peter 3:15. What things can you do to be better able to give an answer concerning the hope that lies within you?
Application: Make a plan to read the entire Bible through. And as you do this, ask the Lord to open all the Scriptures to you.
For Further Study: The message of Easter and missions are connected, as men and women take the gospel of the crucified and resurrected Christ and share it with others. Download and listen for free to James Boice’s message, “A Plea for Missions.” (Discount will be applied at checkout.)
