Day 312

M. To the ascension ~ cont.

3. The great commission given to about 500 - Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:6

4. Christ appears to James, his brother - 1 Corinthians 15:7

5. Christ gives disciples another commission - Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8

6. His last appearance and ascension - Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-12

7. Many things not told or written - John 21:25; John 20:30-31

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Luke 24:45 - Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.


Gill's commentary:

Luk 24:45  Then opened he their understanding,.... He not only opened their hearts, to attend to what he said, and the proofs he gave of his resurrection from the dead in a true body; but he removed the veil from the eyes of their minds, and gave them an understanding of the sacred writings, respecting this matter: 


that they might understand the Scriptures; concerning his sufferings, death, and resurrection, which they were very ignorant of before, and which were as a sealed book unto them, Joh_20:9 though they had been from their infancy brought up to the reading of the Scriptures, and had had the advantage of Christ's ministry for some years; which shows the necessity of the special illumination of the Spirit, and the influence of his grace to remove the darkness of the mind, and give the true sense of the sacred writings.

I need to remember that only Father can open someones understanding of the scriptures.  That does not mitigate our need to proclaim it, study it, share it, etc.  But getting frustrated or annoyed with someone because the do not yet 'get it' is counter-productive.

I was thinking about all the times I had read scripture and the words elect, predestined, foreknowledge, etc were read and obviously not absorbed - for years.  It wasn't until HE open my understanding of the doctrine of election that I 'got it.'

What else have I not yet 'gotten?'  That is a humbling thought.  We can't 'get' it all, not all at once.  To think we have arrived in our knowledge of Him or His word would be pompous.  What an adventure He gives us - a constant growing in our knowledge - a deepening of our love - can the mind even begin to grasp the magnitude of the discoveries that lie ahead?

O Father, thank You for the adventure You have blessed us with in continually growing in all areas of our lives as we seek You.  Let our hearts and minds always desire to be stayed upon thee - to seek thee daily - cleanse us Your people - stir the flames of desire to please You in all areas of our lives.