Seeing and believing

Then Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, how slow you are to believe everything the prophets said! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter his glory?’ And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets. (verses 25-27)

Read Luke 24:13-35

They had followed Jesus, hearing him and seeing him in action. They had heard him speak of his own death. But when it actually happened they weren’t prepared. They couldn’t understand. Grief and bewilderment overwhelmed them. And so they left, returning to their homes. It was finished. Or so they thought.

But Jesus wasn’t finished. He came to them again, and again he taught them. But until he opened their eyes they still couldn’t see, they still didn’t understand, they still struggled with unbelief.

Left to our own devices we would never trust in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. But Jesus has not left us to our own devices. He comes to us. This time he comes to us through the Holy Spirit and the holy book. Empowered by the Spirit of Christ we can believe. With the eyes of faith we can see. And with hands of faith we receive all that Christ desires to give us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Spirit you send. Lead me always to see Jesus as my Lord and my God. Amen.

by Greg Graham, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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