understanding

Only Jesus Gives Understanding

“He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures”

Luke 24:45

Jesus had told His disciples on several occasions that He would die and rise again as the Scriptures foretold. How could the Son of God, Israel’s Messiah, allow Himself to be crucified and die? They believed He was going to redeem Israel (v21). But because they did not take His words literally they were unprepared for what was to come.

Two of Jesus’ disciples were going home very disheartened because their expectations were not met. Their expectations were wrong because they had not listened to, believed and heeded Jesus’ words. Like these two, we may believe who Jesus is but, also like them, our expectations of what that means may be wrong such that we are disheartened. Being downhearted in our walk with Jesus will be because we have not really heard, believed and heeded what He has said.

These two disciples had heard the report of the women who saw the empty tomb and spoke with the angels (v22) yet they left in unbelief. They had heard the report of Peter and John (v24) yet they left in unbelief. Not surprisingly Jesus said they were foolish because they were slow in believing the Scriptures concerning Himself so He spent the rest of the trip explaining the Scriptures to them (v27) but still they didn’t understand. As He shared the Scriptures with them their hearts “burned” but not until Jesus revealed Himself to them and opened their understanding did they comprehend and believe (v31).

Only then were they ready to return to the other disciples and tell what Jesus had revealed to them. When they arrived they discovered that, since they had left, Jesus had appeared to Peter (v34). While they were sharing about their meeting with Jesus with the other disciples He appeared in their midst. But even with all the witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection the disciples were terrified and doubted (vv37,38). Jesus reminded them of the things He had told them prior to His crucifixion and what was written in the Scriptures (v44) and then He opened their understanding so that they could understand the Scriptures (v45). Two things happened; Jesus revealed Himself and He explained the Scriptures. Many people read the Scriptures but it is as a story to them. Others read it and their hearts “burn” but only Jesus gives understanding.

Hiding Behind a Lie

“Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; for shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me’? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?”

Isaiah 29:16

It seems Isaiah had a vision of our present world, for this is the great lie of our time. With the coming of the theory of evolution we have done just as Isaiah has said. Mankind is endeavouring to esteem himself as equal to God and also claiming to have better knowledge than God.

Those who believe the evolutionary lie are in effect saying that man created himself and that is frequently the inference made in public presentations such as television documentaries. If the creature created itself, it is as a god. When people attempt to discredit the biblical account of creation they are saying they have a better understanding than God of how the creation came into being.

Because people know that they are sinners before a holy God they must build a wall of lies behind which they try to hide their consciences. Isaiah foresaw this when he wrote, “For we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood we have hidden ourselves” (28:15). Hiding behind man-made lies has got to be one of the more foolish things people do. God is not mocked or deceived. He is well able to discern the hearts of people.

Just as Eve blamed the serpent and Adam blamed the Lord (albeit disguised as blaming Eve), so people who have swallowed the lie of evolution will think they can, on judgment day, blame someone else. They cannot. The truth is available for anyone who desires to know it and Jesus Himself guarantees to reveal truth to anyone who really wants to know (John 7:17). In Romans Paul writes, “For since the creation of the world His visible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). God’s creative and sustaining power are available for all to see but “professing to be wise they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

Let us all faithfully proclaim the truth of God so that He is able to deliver more people from the man-made lies and the overriding lies of Satan: “I will be like the Most High,” (Isaiah 14:14) and, “you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).

Pursue Love

“So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken?” 1 Corinthians 14:9

This chapter begins with the words, “Pursue love” and follows a chapter describing the characteristics of God’s kind of love. This in turn follows a chapter describing the nature and purpose of spiritual gifting to the church through members of Christ’s body.

The Corinthian church regarded spiritual gifts as a thing of which to boast as if they merited the gift. Further to this they argued that their particular gift was better or more important than others. The focus was on exalting themselves in the eyes of others. There is no shortage of such people today and, unfortunately, we contribute to their pride when we idolise them.

Pursuing love is described by Paul in this chapter. It means to develop and exercise our spiritual gifting in order to edify other members of Christ’s church. This is accomplished through communicating understanding of God and His word in a language easily understood by the hearers. The key words in this chapter are edification and understanding. Rather than attempting to proclaim Christ in a language his hearers did not understand Paul writes that in the church he would rather speak five words with understanding than ten thousand words in a language not easily understood (v 19).

Love will demand that we minister to others and that means building up, strengthening and encouraging other believers. Apparently a spirit of pride had overtaken the Corinthian church and self exaltation had erroneously become recognised as a spiritual blessing. Paul corrected this attitude to spiritual gifts when he wrote, “Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel” (v 12). This is love in action.

To other Christians Paul described the difference between the spirit of manipulation and the spirit of ministry. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit.” That would be manipulation of others to serve one’s own pride. “But in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” This is the right attitude of mind. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” This is ministry to others out of love (Philippians 2:3-4). In the same chapter, commending Timothy for this right attitude and ministry, he comments of others, “For all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ” (v 21).

Paul gives to the Corinthian church, and to us, the principle to be applied, “Let all things be done for edification” (v 26).  He concludes his letter by writing, “Let all that you do be done with love” (16:14). That is how we pursue love.

His Voice

Jesus said to them, “have you never read in the Scriptures: …” Matthew 21:42

This is just one of six times in Matthew’s Gospel that he records Jesus making this statement. It is quite an extraordinary thing that Jesus would say this to the chief priests, scribes and elders (vv 15, 23) who would have known the Scriptures better than anyone else. They most certainly had read and studied the passages that Jesus quoted to them and may even have memorised them. Their problem was that they had not understood them as applying to Jesus. They did not want to recognise Jesus as Messiah no matter what the evidence from Scripture or from His words and deeds. They did not want to recognise His authority.

It is possible for us to put blinkers on at a superficial understanding of Scripture and become blind to a more complete comprehension that will give us a greater appreciation of what we are reading. How often does it happen that, having read a passage of Scripture many times over the years that we gain a greater appreciation of what is written? An oft repeated statement is, “I have read that many times but I never saw that before.” It isn’t that we misunderstood it before but that we now have a greater appreciation of what is written.

The reason Jesus frequently quotes the Scriptures and why Matthew records them is so that people might begin to make the comparison and connection of the Scriptures with Jesus. When they do, with honest and open hearts, the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth concerning Jesus.

If we are content with our early understanding of Scripture we will likely become like the scribes and chief priests and focus on outward religious performance rather than heart intimacy with Jesus. It is a trap awaiting any of us. Jesus is not a set of rules. He is a living Person with whom we may live every moment of every day. Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love Him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” He will make His home in our hearts. WOW!

The scribes, chief priests and the elders knew the Scriptures well but they did not recognise who Jesus is. As it was for them it is possible for us to understand a literal rendering of the Scriptures but not know the Lord Jesus. It is possible for us to know the Scriptures but not be intimate with Him. The answer to this situation is found in Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” It isn’t the one who hears the knock only but the ones who hears His voice that opens the door. What is the difference, you ask? The one who hears His voice recognises a familiar friend because of a previous intimate relationship; “they know His voice” (John 10:3-4).

Healing for the Deaf

“They did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask him” Mark 9:32

It can be very difficult to communicate with someone who is not “on the same page” with regard to a particular subject matter. There can be misunderstanding among people because of this. No one views and comprehends their world from a vacuum or blank sheet. Jesus’ disciples were not listening to Jesus from a blank sheet either. They had been taught in the synagogues by the Rabbis.

When Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain their heads were filled with the teachings of the Rabbis. Much of it was very good but some was not helpful. When they arrived high on the mountain Jesus was transformed before their eyes and His glory shone through (v 3). In addition, Moses and Elijah appeared before them speaking with Jesus concerning His approaching death. Peter recognised that this is what the Scriptures taught; that Elijah would appear prior to the establishing of the earthly kingdom. What he had not been taught and did not understand was that there was still other Scripture to be fulfilled before the earthly kingdom would be established (cf. Isaiah 53).

On this occasion the Father spoke audibly and directly to the disciples. This may be the only time He did this, so it must also be very important. It was a short message but one we would profit to take notice of: “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (v 7). The disciples had heard other teachers but now they must listen only to what Jesus was saying if they were to correctly understand and be prepared for what was soon to happen. Before the earthly kingdom would come Jesus must die and rise again (vv 9, 31).

The disciples had no idea what He was speaking about. The Rabbis had not taught them of a Messiah who would die and rise again so they dismissed it as too hard to understand or irrelevant. Jesus wanted them to understand this future event so that they would be prepared and not panic or despair when the event occurred. They dismissed His words even though they had just heard the Father say, “Hear Him.”

We can only correctly understand the times in which we live when we “Hear Him.” Jesus and the Bible give us a huge amount of information concerning our times and future times and events. These will prepare us so that we do not panic or despair when they come to pass. When Jesus was taken to be crucified the disciples fled because they had not heard and understood His words but were still held in the grip previous teaching. They were afraid to ask Jesus what He meant when He spoke of rising from the dead and therefore they remained in ignorance. We have no reason to follow their example. God has spoken, Jesus has spoken and we have His word to prepare us. Will we “Hear Him?”

Current world events may lead a person to worry or despair but when we hear what Jesus, the prophets and Paul  have said regarding the latter days we can observe that God has foretold all these things in order to prepare us. It is essential that we come humbly to His word at least daily and ask Him to correct us where we have unwittingly misunderstood or dismissed His word.

My Way or His Way?

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes but the Lord weighs the heart” Proverbs 21:2

Generally people will do what they believe is right or at least that which seems best for them in the circumstances in order to achieve their objective. This proverb reminds us that we do not have a true motive or correct understanding without input from our Creator. By what measure are we to evaluate our thoughts, motives and actions?

Jesus Christ is the only measure that will ultimately matter and we can check ourselves against Him as we read, study and meditate God’s word. Only God has faithful motives and understanding intrinsically. As we continually invite Him to lead and teach us His ways He will renew our minds in accordance with His own nature, word and will.

The following proverb also says much the same; “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes but the Lord weighs the spirits (Proverbs 16:2). When we are called to account we do our best to justify ourselves. We may plead limited knowledge or blame someone else but that will not wash with God who “weighs the heart.”

There are consequences for not checking that the path we are on will get us to the destination we desire; “There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). The Bible tells us many times in varying ways that if we continue to trust our own assessments, understanding and logic without checking against the measure God has provided, we will be disappointed when we arrive at our destination. It will not be the one we desire. Many people say they hope to make it to heaven but fail to ensure they are on the right path for that destination. That cannot be the attitude of a wise person.

A wise person will ensure that the path they are on will lead to their desired destination. Not to do so would be like a person who gets on a bus without checking it is going to their desired destination. I have witnessed people do this many times and the moment of discovery always reveals considerable disappointment.

The lack of certainty that a person is on the right path to their desired destination robs them of joy on the journey. That is really sad because God desires that we know and are assured of our eternal destiny (1 John 5:13) and that is an essential aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sound counsel is given in Proverbs 3:5, 6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Hoping we are on the right path will not give us joy or peace.

These proverbs and many others tell us that only a foolish person will trust his own reason or logic and dismiss God’s word. We will have confidence and assurance when we trust in God’s promises and word.

The proverbs quoted in this article are given to ensure we discover the right path to our desired destination and know the peace and joy that come with that knowledge. When we do we will confidently enjoy the journey of life. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).