4 How foolish... how slow of heart!
Having listened to the two disciples speaking of their dashed expectations, Jesus speaks.
Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going further. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24: 25 – 29 [NIV]
How slow am I, how slow are you, to believe all that the Bible says? How well do we know it? How often do we read it?
Cleopas and the other disciple must have heard the Scriptures read many times. They would have been familiar with the Law and the Prophets, but somehow its meaning had passed them over. They heard, but they did not understand.
So Jesus opens up to them the message of the Bible. Notice how Luke says Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. The entire Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi, points to Jesus. His death and resurrection are the events on which the hopes and expectations of all the prophets converge.
The meaning of the New Testament lies hidden in the Old; the meaning of the Old Testament is revealed through the New. [St Augustine]
What a Bible study that must have been! The two disciples felt their hearts burning within them (verse 32) as they began to understand who Jesus was and what he had come to do.
Father, please deepen my understanding of who Jesus is and what he has done for me. Thank you that he was willing to suffer in my place to bring me to glory. Amen.
David Long
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