March 30, 2024 -- Luke 24:15-27 -- It is all true or none of it is true at all.

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While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:15-27 ESV

A few things to notice in the passage today. Jesus had risen from the dead. He was the only one in all Jerusalem, in fact, in all the world, who knew exactly what had happened in those days! Cleopas and his companion were prevented from recognizing Jesus. Unless the Spirit of God reveals Jesus to the hearts and minds of inquirers, they will not know Him or understand the Scriptures. These things are written so that believers will discern the Lord and stay true to Him and His Word.

Second, note that all the Old Testament is about Jesus—Moses and the Prophets, is a shorthand for saying it is all about Jesus, from start to finish. That means the Old Testament is important for our fullest understanding of Who Jesus Is.

In 2022 the Barna Group in the US (a non-partisan Christian polling organization) posted the results of a survey stating that only 37% of pastors have a Biblical Worldview. Yes, that is staggering. It means 63% of pastors are foolish and slow of heart to believe ALL that the prophets have spoken (verse 25). Consider the implications, among other things:

  1. Such pastors do not believe all the Bible as true. Do they deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the grave? Maybe. Or it might be that they do not believe the first part of Genesis as real history.

  2. Such pastors do not know how to defend basic truth, like the historicity of Adam and Eve, the coexistence of humans and dinosaurs, and the worldwide flood described in Genesis 6 - 9.

  3. Such pastors then do not know how to defend the faith against abortion, medical assistance in dying, or how to explain marriage as God’s institution, one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

  4. Such pastors are leading their congregations away from Jesus, into the path of sin, unbelief, death and hell.
     

Why does this matter? Well, from start to finish the Bible is God’s revelation of Himself. Believers do not get to pick and choose what they consider to be true. It is all true or none of it is true at all. The LORD of Heaven and Earth declared: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-8).

The LORD of Glory is splendid, wondrous beyond description. He has chosen to stoop to your and my weakness and reveal Himself. Do not mistake His pity on our condition as weakness or slackness. What He reveals, He commands His people to believe—from start to finish it is all about Jesus. From start to finish the renown and fame of the Righteous Father is to be held in high esteem, for Jesus reveals His love and greatness. From Moses to the Prophets, it is the Holy Spirit Who opens eyes and softens hearts to receive. Pray to understand what is written and believe not the things of this world, but the things that are out of this world.

Almighty Father in heaven, this weekend we remember and celebrate the wonders of Your love, demonstrated so clearly in Jesus Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection seal to us Your extravagant forgiveness. By Your Holy Spirit puncture our world’s highly inflated self-congratulatory view of itself and teach us to see ALL Scripture is about Jesus. Humble us now so that we may be exalted with Him in Your presence, and this, by the glorious work of the Holy Spirit Who enables the eyes of faith to see and believe. Amen.

https://youtu.be/kQFLOCoYaPI?si=yb2qvqf-w1vj1bOy O Jesus, I Have Promised

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