25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Clueless that they were even talking to Jesus, these disciples were getting ready to receive a lesson from Him on the Scriptures that they were certain never to forget! This “Visitor” begins by telling them how foolish they were and how slow of heart to believe. Strong wording is used here by the Master. Indeed, the word translated “foolish” is from the Greek word “Anoetos” meaning without comprehension; “foolish, ignorant, mindless, stupid. The word has a distinct moral connotation emphasizing the culpability of the subject. It describes one as thoughtless, intellectually negligent or reckless, failing to think responsibly about a matter, having no sense, implying that one should have known better. It is not so much a lack of education, intelligence, or mental capacity, but the lack of mental concentration, a failure to engage the mind and think through the implications of something; blocks out better judgment.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids. The word translated “slow” is from the Greek word “Bradys” meaning “reluctant, dull and unresponsive”. Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids. Sounds like Cleopas and the other disciple with him needed to put their thinking caps on! Sounds like something modern day believers need to do so as well!
“The future of civilization depends on our overcoming the meaninglessness and hopelessness that characterizes the thoughts of men today.” Albert Schweitzer
We would be far less entangled with perplexities if we would but search the Scriptures seeking divine counsel. Much like the Bereans in Paul’s day who diligently studied the Word to see if what Paul was saying was true – and, I might add, received a commendation for their efforts – likewise, we too are to engage and saturate our minds with the Truths of Scripture in order to keep from being swayed by false doctrines:
11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV)
Paul gives his beloved Timothy these instructions that we should take to heart as well:
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)
“The best protection against Satan’s lies is to know God’s truth.” Anonymous
Clearly, God desires for His children to use their minds. Christianity is not a mindless, emotional faith rather one in which the mind is to be totally engaged and active. We are to be concentrating our concerns on the eternal rather than the temporal. Paul tells us in Colossians:
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col 3:1-4 (NIV)
“He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him aright.” Blaise Pascal
“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” C. S. Lewis
In our verses for today, these two disciples were taught by the Word the Scriptures of the Old Testament showing them how they were all fulfilled in Jesus. He is the golden Thread woven throughout all of Scripture. Of course they did not realize at that time that they were being taught by Jesus Himself. What could they have been thinking as this “Visitor” starts from the beginning of the Old Testament with Moses and goes through all the Prophets explaining and expounding that Jesus was indeed the fulfillment of all of them? The Word was explaining the Word and I have no doubt that it was nothing short of truly amazing! Scripture tells us He desires to teach us as well:
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Psalms 32:8-10 (NIV)
“Scripture is the royal chariot in which Jesus rides, and it is paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem. The Scriptures are the swaddling bands of the holy child Jesus; unroll them and you will find your Savior. The quintessence of the word of God is Christ.” C. H. Spurgeon
39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40 (NIV)