then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. [luke 24:45]
good news to those who have heard, but not understood
for the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. for it is written: “i will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning i will thwart.” [1 corinthians 1:18-19]
the word is the inerrant, authoritative word of God, but it is folly to those who are perishing? what a statement! how can this be?
i am the vine; you are the branches. whoever abides in me and i in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [john 15:5]
our fallen flesh is fundamentally in opposition to the truth of scripture! even when we read our bibles, unless God opens our minds as we abide in him, our reading will be fruitless. what a mystery, and what a blessed reminder of our dependence on him!
Lord, open our minds to understand the scriptures; teach us to abide in you all the day long; and remind us of our total child-like dependence on you! without you we are nothing; without you we bear no fruit; without you we understand little. we are your children: help us to come to you like so! teach us the humility to hold all that we think we know with open hands in submission to your word! you are our Father, our Savior, and our King. use us, mold us, and send us!
~ stephen hall