LORD, PLEASE OPEN THE EYES
LORD, PLEASE OPEN THE EYES
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. —Luke 24:9-11
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah 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. They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. —Luke 24:33-35
He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” —Luke 24:38-39
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” —Luke 24:32
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” —Luke 24:45-49
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. —Psalm 119:133
It was not until Jesus appeared to the eleven that they believed. They eleven did not believe the women’s testimony that Jesus had risen from the dead and they had seen Him. Then Thomas wouldn’t believe the eleven when they told him Jesus had risen from the dead and they had seen Him (John 20:25). Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scripture. He did this for the two disciples on the way to Emmaus and also to the eleven when He appeared to them as a group.
It is true today. Jesus has to open up His Word to people so they will understand what it says. Here’s what He opened up to them—
- Believe what the prophets have spoken
- The Messiah had to suffer
- The Messiah would rise from the dead on the third day
- The Messiah had to enter His glory
- This is what Moses and all the prophets pointed to
- The Scriptures were saying all this about Him
- He opened their minds to understand
- Repentance for the forgiveness of sin would be preached in His Name to all nations
- They would start in Jerusalem
- They are witnesses of these things
- He would send the promise of the Father
- They were to stay in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high
Yes, He opened up their minds to understand His Word. Please, Dear Father, do the same for me and for those I share Your Word with. And then “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Yes, so be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQ1n3cdgfo&list=RDidQ1n3cdgfo&start_radio=1