DR 30
December 30
Luke 24:44-49. Christ opens the understandings of his apostles.
The Lord Jesus remained forty days on the earth after his resurrection. During this time he often conversed with his disciples. It is written in the Acts, concerning the Lord and his apostles, "To whom he showed himself alive after his passion (or sufferings) by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." How much we would like to hear all that he said during these forty days! It is natural to inquire, "Where did the Lord abide when not present with his disciples, or was he always present with some of them?" But though we cannot ascertain these points, we may know on what subjects the Lord conversed with his beloved followers. He spoke to them of his own past sufferings.
They had just witnessed his painful death at Jerusalem, and they could not understand how the righteous Father should give up his righteous Son into the hands of wicked men. But Jesus relieved their perplexity. He showed them from the Old Testament prophecies, that the Lord had laid on him the sins of men. What must the apostles have felt when they first understood that all the bitter pangs they had seen their Lord endure, had been inflicted for their sakes! He explained to them not only why he died, but also why he rose again. And why did he rise again? Because he had paid the ransom for our sins, even his own precious blood, and therefore he was set free from the prison of the tomb. Thus Daniel the prophet had declared that the Messiah should come "to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness." (Daniel 9:24.)
Were such conversations ever before held as these between the Lord and his disciples after his resurrection! How different from their conversation on the way to the garden of Gethsemane just before his crucifixion! Then sorrow had filled their hearts—but now joy. Then they could not understand many very simple truths. When the Lord said, "Where I go you know, and the way you know," Thomas replied, "We know not where you go, and how can we know the way?" But now the disciples understood his instructions. And why? Because he opened their understandings. No other teacher ever possessed the power of opening the understandings of his pupils.
Jesus still exercises this power. He bestows the Holy Spirit. The Bible perplexes those who are not taught by him. When they read the ceremonies of the law, they sometimes inquire, "Why was so much blood spilt?" When they read the histories of the saints, they wonder at their sins and at their sorrows. When they read the psalms and the prophets, they are astonished to find bitter complaints succeeded by rapturous songs. But the soul taught of God knows that Christ is hidden in every part of his holy word —that the ceremonies of the law point to his atoning blood—that the histories of the saints set forth the sins he bore, and the sorrows he sustained; and that the psalms and the prophets are filled with his mournful notes, and with his joyful strains.
The Lord conversed with his disciples not only about his own past sufferings, but also about their future labors. He told them what they were to preach, and where they were to preach.
What were they to preach? Not vengeance but mercy. The gifts that sinners need are repentance and pardon. To be pardoned without repentance would be no blessing; for an impenitent sinner could not be happy in heaven. To repent, and yet not to obtain pardon, how terrible this would be! But it cannot be; for no true penitent shall be sent to hell, though many a bruised reed has feared lest this should be his own case.
And where were the apostles to preach? Among all nations, but they were to BEGIN at Jerusalem. The murderers were to have the first offer of pardon. Those who, like strong bulls of Bashan, had beset him round, who had gaped upon him with their mouths as a ravening and roaring lion, were to be the first to obtain mercy from the silent, slaughtered Lamb. How can any sinner despair after hearing of this wonderful grace? Millions once covered with scarlet and crimson stains are now singing, "Unto him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, be glory and dominion forever and ever."