Thursday May 10th, 2018 Ascension of Our Lord Luke 24:44-53
"?everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures? (verses 44-45)
The first believers had a huge theological problem. As faithful Jews, they knew the Messiah was going to restore the glory of the kingdom of David and then rule in peace and justice. Everybody knew that, and many passages in the prophets talked about that. Jesus had not fulfilled these expectations. How could he be the Messiah? And yet they had met the risen Jesus!
The New Testament presents a very different messiah: a suffering servant of God who wins the victory not by leading an army, but by dying on a cross. From our viewpoint, this might seem simple and obvious. A careful reading will show that this understanding came only after considerable studying and wrestling and praying. It was the risen Jesus who showed them a new way to understand the Hebrew Bible.
We also wrestle with problems that seem to have no solution. We have a new look at things we thought we knew. We may be uncertain or confused. Yet we, too, have met the risen Jesus, who is now in the position of power and authority. The Spirit that Jesus promised still leads into all truth, even when we are slow to listen.
Lord Jesus, open our minds, too, and help us to listen. Amen. — PS
Contributed by Open Minds and Hearts
The first believers had a huge theological problem. As faithful Jews, they knew the Messiah was going to restore the glory of the kingdom of David and then rule in peace and justice. Everybody knew that, and many passages in the prophets talked about that. Jesus had not fulfilled these expectations. How could he be the Messiah? And yet they had met the risen Jesus!
The New Testament presents a very different messiah: a suffering servant of God who wins the victory not by leading an army, but by dying on a cross. From our viewpoint, this might seem simple and obvious. A careful reading will show that this understanding came only after considerable studying and wrestling and praying. It was the risen Jesus who showed them a new way to understand the Hebrew Bible.
We also wrestle with problems that seem to have no solution. We have a new look at things we thought we knew. We may be uncertain or confused. Yet we, too, have met the risen Jesus, who is now in the position of power and authority. The Spirit that Jesus promised still leads into all truth, even when we are slow to listen.
