Today’s readings.. (1 Chronicles 15), (Ezekiel 28), (Galatians 1,2)

It is disappointing that so many only read the New Testament – and sometimes it is the only part of the Bible they have.  Many do not understand that the Old Testament is quoted copiously throughout the New Testament.  

This comment was prompted by our reading today (Luke 24) of the drama of the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection.  He told the disciples on the road to Emmaus, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken” [v.25]  Then, after they had “recognized him and he vanished … they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures” [v.32]  The Scriptures were, of course, the Old Testament. 

Later, with all the disciples he “ate before them” [v.43] to prove he was a real being, and not some spirit manifestation. “Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to 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 and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations …” [v.44-47] 

Only now is the message going out to nations in every part of the world and it is heartwarming to see how genuine the response is in some areas.  What is proclaimed as an essential part of the original gospel is “repentance and forgiveness” – but how few among those where God’s word has long been readily available have that spirit – and really set their minds to “understand the Scripture.”    Make sure you do understand why “it is written” – otherwise you do not understand what salvation really is…