Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45).

On the road to Emmaus, as described in Luke 24, two disciples of Jesus are joined by the resurrected

Jesus on their journey. Though they did not recognize Him at first, Jesus opened their eyes to reveal

Himself to them. Then these two disciples found the eleven disciples in Jerusalem and told them that it

was true, the Lord had risen.

While they were all together, Jesus stood among them and proved to them who He was. The disciples

were at first startled and frightened because they thought He was a ghost. So, Jesus showed them His

hands and feet and proved His physical presence by eating a piece of broiled fish.

Jesus told them, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the

Prophets and the Psalms.” Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

This encounter underscores a critical truth: understanding the Scriptures is not merely an intellectual

exercise but a spiritual revelation that requires the illumination of Christ. The disciples had access to the

same Scriptures before and after Jesus’ crucifixion, but it was only through the encounter with Him that

these texts came alive, transforming their despair into hope and their confusion into clarity.

Jesus's approach to the Scriptures provides a model for how we should engage with God's Word. He

begins with Moses and all the Prophets, demonstrating how the entirety of Scripture points to Him. This

holistic approach reminds us that every part of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is integrated and

centered on Christ.

Moreover, the moment of recognition for the disciples comes not through intellectual comprehension

alone but in gathering together—a deeply relational and communal act. This suggests that our

understanding of Scripture is also deeply connected to our relationship with Christ and with one

another.

Have you experienced moments where the Scriptures seemed to be "unlocked" for you in a new or

deeper way? What role did your relationship with Christ play in that understanding? How does the

realization that all Scripture points to Christ change the way you read and engage with the Bible?

The experience of the disciples is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of Scripture when

illuminated by Christ. As we seek to deepen our understanding of God's Word, let us invite Jesus to open

our minds and hearts, recognizing that true comprehension comes not from human wisdom but through

a relationship with Him. May we approach the Scriptures with a sense of expectancy and openness,

ready to encounter Christ in new and life-changing ways.

By Jim Connell

Jim is the Founder and retired director of Lexington Rescue Mission and author of FaithAnswersPress.net

and JesusIsLordBlog.com