Before Jesus explained the Scriptures about Himself, the disciples were trying to figure out what had happened.
Two of them, one named Cleopas (Luke 24:18), were traveling to Emmaus while talking and reasoning about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus approached them and began to travel with them, but they were kept from recognizing Him. He asked them what they were talking about and why they looked so sad (Luke 24:17).
After recovering from their shock that someone didn’t know what had happened, the two disciples explained.
“The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain 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.” (Luke 24:19-24)
Jesus’ response has always caught my attention. He said they were “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25). “Foolish” means “unintelligent,” and “slow of heart” means “dull in thinking.”
To put it in our terms today – Jesus said, “Are you stupid?” I imagine Jesus caught these two disciples a little off guard.
Jesus asked them, “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26). He told them that the prophets taught that it was supposed to happen exactly as it did. Their problem was a misunderstanding of what the prophets taught and a lack of faith.
They were struggling between what the prophets said about Christ and what their chief priests and rulers did to Jesus.
So what did Jesus do?
“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27)
Jesus knew how strong the influence of the religious leaders was, but He knew God’s Word was even more powerful. He took the time to thoroughly explain all the Scriptures said of Him – beginning with the Law of Moses and continuing through the prophets.
Later, when these two disciples realized it had been Jesus who was teaching them, they said:
“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)
Jesus showed the power of correctly interpreting the Scriptures with Christ in mind. When used correctly, the Word of God is so powerful it pierces to our innermost thoughts (Hebrews 4:12).
The Time Jesus Explained the Scriptures about Himself: Takeaways
- Studying the Bible “centered on Christ” is following the way that Jesus interpreted and taught the Scriptures.
- There will always be individuals who attempt to confuse people with their interpretations of Scripture. The remedy is to refocus our minds on the One the Scriptures point to – Jesus Christ, the Son of God.