Discover How Jesus Fulfills Old Testament Prophecy
Today’s passage: Luke 24:44–47
Focus verse: Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45)
After Jesus appears to the disciples, Luke records additional details not found in John’s account. The risen Savior begins with a polite I-told-you-so reminder to his disciples of what he’s already taught them.
Succinctly, he says that everything written about him in the Old Testament—that is, the law of Moses, the prophets, and psalms—must be fulfilled.
This reminds us of what Luke wrote about Jesus when he met the pair on the road to Emmaus. There Jesus taught them about himself, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets (Luke 24:27).
This time Luke lists a third source, the Psalms. Though Luke doesn’t specify which Old Testament passages Jesus quoted, we can speculate on some possibilities.
Jesus opens their minds so they can understand. It shouldn’t surprise us that they need their minds opened, despite having spent three years following Jesus as their Rabbi.
The Old Testament confirms this in Isaiah 44:18, and as the prophet foretold (Isaiah 6:10 and Isaiah 32:3).
They have eyes that can’t see and ears that can’t hear (Jeremiah 5:21 and Ezekiel 12:2).
But now Jesus gives them understanding, so that what was once hidden from them is now seen and heard. I’m sure that, like Cleopas and his friend, the disciples’ hearts also burn within them as the Teacher instructs them from Scripture.
Jesus wraps up his teaching with a powerful finale: “Just as the Scriptures say, the Messiah will suffer—that is, he will die—and rise from the grave three days later.
The good news of repentance from sins will be proclaimed everywhere, starting in Jerusalem.”
The number of people who have seen the risen Savior continues to grow. We’re up to thirteen: Mary Magdalene, Peter, Cleopas and his friend, and nine more disciples.
Though we started with twelve disciples, Judas is dead, Simon Peter already knows, and, as we’ll later learn, Thomas isn’t there.
Questions:
What should we do to make the most out of studying the Bible?
Should we ask the Holy Spirit to open our minds to better understand what we read?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we have eyes that see you at work and ears that hear what you want to teach us.
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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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