Then He Opened Their Minds

Luke 24:44-47 ESV

“Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’”

Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross, although he had done no wrong, but in order that he who was without sin might become sin for us on that cross, and in order that in his death he would put our sins to death with him. And this was so that, by God-persuaded faith in Christ, we can now die with him to sin and live to him and to his righteousness. For, he didn’t remain dead, but he was resurrected on the third day as he said he would, and after his resurrection he appeared to many people for 40 days.

And here we have Jesus’ final words to his disciples prior to him blessing them, at which time he was carried up into heaven before them. And these words followed after he comforted his disciples and calmed their fears, for at least some (or all) of them were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And so Jesus showed them his hands and his feet, and he told them to touch him and see, for his body was flesh and bones, and then he ate a piece of broiled fish so that they could see that he was not a spirit.

And while Jesus was speaking to them he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, for they were still struggling to comprehend it all, I believe. And we, too, need our Lord to open his word to our hearts through the Spirit of God whom he gave us, for the Scriptures are spiritually discerned. For, although some or many Scriptures may be more clear, there are others which may be difficult for us to understand their meaning, especially when it is dealing with things specific to their culture and time period.

Now Jesus Christ taught the importance of genuine repentance for the forgiveness of sins, which many are not teaching today. Now some people will tell you that the word “repent” just means to have a change of mind. It is true that is what the word means. But how is it used in the Scriptures? It is used to speak of a change of mind which results in a change of heart and behavior, specifically in relationship with God, that we should turn away from our sins and now follow our Lord with our lives, instead.

[Matt 4:17; Matt 11:20-21; Matt 12:41; Lu 5:32; Lu 13:3; Lu 15:2-8; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:30-31; Acts 8:22; Acts 11:17; Acts 26:20; Rom 2:4; 2 Co 7:8-10; 2 Co 12:21; 2 Tim 2:25-26; 2 Pet 3:9; Rev 2:5,16; Rev 3:19]

For some people turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. And they gave up their evil practices, some of them even burning their books. And they left their lives of living in sin and for the flesh, and they turned to following Jesus with their lives. And they repented of their impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they had been practicing. And they came to their senses so that they could escape the snare of the devil, who was the one who had captured them to do his will, etc.

So, if we do not repent of our sins, and we do not turn away from them, but we continue in deliberate and habitual sin, the Scriptures teach that we will not inherit eternal life with God. For Jesus said that not everyone who says to him, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one DOING the will of God the Father (Matthew 7:21-23). And he said that if we are to come after him that we must deny self and take up our cross daily (die daily to sin and self) and follow (obey) him (Luke 9:23-26).

My Sheep  

An Original Work / June 24, 2012  

Based off John 10:1-18 NIV

My sheep hear me. They know me.

They listen to my voice and obey.

I call them and lead them.

They know my voice, so they follow me.

They will never follow strangers.

They will run away from them.

The voice of a stranger they know not;

They do not follow him.

So, I tell you the truth that

I am the gate, so you enter in.

Whoever does enter

Will find forgiveness and will be saved.

Nonetheless whoever enters

Not by the gate; other way,

He is the thief and a robber.

Listen not, the sheep to him.

Oh, I am the Good Shepherd,

Who laid his own life down for the sheep.

I know them. They know me.

They will live with me eternally.

The thief only comes to steal and

Kill and to destroy the church.

I have come to give you life that

You may have it to the full… 

They know my voice, so they follow me.

https://vimeo.com/114938263