DON’T BE FOOLISH AND SLOW TO BELIEVE
SCRIPTURE:
“He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah 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. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:25—32)
“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)
OBSERVATION:
No matter how often Jesus’ disciples have seen him in action, healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk and the blind to see, something is still a miss. Jesus told them bluntly that he would die, and on the third day, he would rise again. However, in their moment of sorrow, the disciples have forgotten all that Jesus has been teaching them and all they have seen and heard.
The disciples on the road to Emmaus were no different. We only see the twelve that Jesus had hand-picked to follow him, but many often followed him closely. Yet the truth they knew disappeared in the moment of distress, sadness, and disappointment.
Jesus identified the problem many of his disciples have from his encounter with these two disciples on the road to Emmaus. “How foolish you are and slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Jesus said, How FOOLISH are you, and how SLOW TO YOU BELIEVE all that the prophets have spoken? A foolish person lacks good sense or judgment or is unwise. It describes a person who, no matter how much has been taught them and how much they have heard or seen, still chooses to ignore it all. I can’t help but identify with these two disciples. There are some things I do not pay attention to when I should, and even if I had the opportunity to do it, I still ignore them and do other things.
The other problematic area Jesus pointed out to them is their SLOW TO BELIEVE. Sometimes this is a problem even in my own life. I have seen Jesus since I became a follower and have done so many things in my journey with him, but I still have moments of doubt and fear. The problem is that we need to believe or are SLOW to believe.
Jesus took the two disciples back to the SCRIPTURES and started again with them until their hearts burned within them. The two on the road to Emmaus were not the only ones with foolishness and slow-to-believe syndrome. Even the twelve that Jesus chose were even worse. If the ones who followed and saw Jesus from a distance on the road to Emmaus, the disciples had it worse because they saw an empty grave and yet still were SLOW TO BELIEVE.
Jesus had to do the same for the twelve who saw the empty grave with grave clothes folded and an Angel, yet still slow to speak. Jesus had to OPEN THEIR MINDS TO THE SCRIPTURE. This reminds me that it doesn’t matter how long one has been following Jesus and knows and memorizes all their favorite scriptures; what matters most, do we remember the scriptures and the word of God when we face calamities and difficulties in life. What matters most is if we forget everything else, all the miracles, all the blessings, and healings, because their times have come and gone, I must never FORGET TO GET BACK TO SCRIPTURE. Jesus has to OPEN THE DISCIPLES MIND TO THE SCRIPTURES.
APPLICATION:
I must never forget God’s word at all times. Miracles are great. The healings are remarkable. Financial blessings are great, and God’s provisions and acts are significant to remember. But they often come and go with time. God’s word, the scripture, remains the same and will never fade. I know I am like the disciples; I am sometimes foolish and sometimes slow to believe, but today, I am reminded of the power of God’s word, and I must make time to love it and live it.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for opening my eyes to your word. I am like the disciples who often foolishly follow only the things I prayed for without loving and loving the power of your word. Teach me to love your word. Open my mind and heart to experience the power of your word in my life. Thank you for reminding me that all we ask and pray for will someday stop, but your word will never fade. Amen!
