Old-time religion ∙∙∙
You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! – John 5:39
Luke 24:44-47
44 He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,”
47 “and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
That old time religion
Give me that old time religion, Give me that old time religion,
Give me that old time religion, It’s good enough for me.
It was good for Paul and Silas, It was good for Paul and Silas,
It was good for Paul and Silas, It’s good enough for me.
It was good for the Hebrew children, It was good for the Hebrew children,
It was good for the Hebrew children, It’s good enough for me.
Makes me love ev’ry body, Makes me love ev’ry body,
Makes me love ev’ry body, It’s good enough for me.
Great works of literature share common elements: a central theme, a structured narrative, and a topic or subject. What is the theme of the Bible? The answer is concise and summarized by one word: redemption. What is the subject of the Old Testament Scriptures? Again, the answer is straightforward. The subject of the Old Testament Scriptures is a person: The Lord Jesus Christ. This sacred book, crafted by the Father, centers on His beloved Son, who provides redemption from sin.
Often, when we approach the Scriptures, they seem more like an enigmatic novel rather than a straightforward guide. The Bible can appear as a closed book, its profound truths elusive and hidden. It often seems inscrutable.
This was the experience of the disciples despite spending over three years with the most outstanding teacher that has ever lived. They frequently struggled to grasp His teachings fully. They simply did not get it. It wasn’t that the Scriptures were inaccessible; instead, the disciples’ hearts were closed. They were unresponsive, their ears dulled, and their minds clouded and muddled. They failed to comprehend fully the teaching and wisdom they received.
Their understanding was heavily influenced by the cultural norms and religious beliefs of their time. They were caught in a web of futile speculations and conflicting ideas, missing both the grand narrative and the finer details. In their intellectual stubbornness, they resembled the Gentiles, the pagans of their era. Yet, the transformative power of truly understanding the Scriptures lies in breaking through these barriers and embracing the clarity and redemption that the Lord Jesus Christ offers.
Ephesians 4:17-18
17 The Gentiles . . . are hopelessly confused.
18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.
The disciples were not outsiders to the faith; they were Jews, deeply rooted in their rich spiritual heritage. This irony added a profound layer of tragedy to their situation. Despite their intimate knowledge of the Mosaic law and their cultural identity, their hearts and minds remained closed off. This stark contrast between their identity and their resistance to true understanding highlighted a profound and unsettling disconnect.
2 Corinthians 3:14-16
14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day, whenever the Old Testament is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.
15 Yes, even today, when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
The disciples found themselves turning to the Lord Jesus Christ with anticipation as something truly extraordinary was on the horizon. The marvel of their transformation was about to unfold, offering a beacon of hope and change. What’s most remarkable is that this profound transformation is not exclusive to the disciples; it is a possibility for anyone who follows Him, inviting all children of the King on a thrilling and inclusive spiritual journey.
Luke 24:45 He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
REFLECT & PRAY
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. – John 16:13
Father, thank You for giving us the precious gift of Your word. We are truly grateful for the Holy Spirit, who illuminates our understanding of its truth so that we might comprehend it. Open the eyes of our hearts and minds so that we may receive what You have already provided for us.
INSIGHT
When the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to His disciples, He conducted one of history’s most enlightening Bible studies. The Lord Jesus Christ takes the disciples through an old-fashioned, old-time religion Bible study. But it was more than a Bible study; it transcended conventional boundaries.
The Lord Jesus was not merely a teacher; He was a prophet. Prophets are the Father’s spokesman. They are the Father’s seers. When they speak, they open the minds of those that hear to see. When they speak, they enable listeners to gain deeper insights. A prophet’s impact was more about revelation than explanation, often unveiling truths beneath the surface. For instance, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenged conventional thinking, unveiling deeper moral truths, as seen in Matthew 5:27-28, where He expanded upon the concept of adultery to include thoughts of lust.
Matthew 5:27-28
27 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Recall that real impediments lay not in the Scriptures but in closed minds. The Lord Jesus Christ enabled His followers to truly grasp the meaning of teachings they had previously heard or read. This transformative gift from Jesus opened their understanding, allowing the Scriptures to reveal their full beauty and truth. No longer limited to basics, the disciples could now delve into the profound wisdom and knowledge within, exploring the rich depths of the Word.
The Jewish people divided and ordered the Old Testament into three segments: The “Law,” comprising the Five Books of Moses; the “Prophets,” encompassing Joshua through 2 Kings, as well as Isaiah through Malachi; and the “Psalms,” the rest of the Old Testament. The referred to the Old Testament as the Tenach. Before the first coming of Christ, the Jewish people curated messianic prophecies from the entire Old Testament. They grouped these snippets into various thematic clusters or collections that predicted the coming of the Messiah.
The Gospel of Matthew highlights these fulfilled prophecies. It is one thing to have a list of messianic prophecies. It is quite another to understand them and recognize their actual fulfillment. Where did Matthew’s knowledge and understanding of these prophecies come from? Perhaps it was from the intensive biblical review that the Lord Jesus Christ provided.
The Father’s intervention is necessary to open hearts and minds to the truth of His Word, as spiritual discernment is essential for understanding divine wisdom. What a remarkable and delightful privilege it was for the disciples to have the Lord Jesus Christ personally elucidate these truths. He promised the Holy Spirit would continue this enlightenment, guiding each child of the King on a similar path of understanding and revelation.
John 14:26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
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© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 