Understanding the Scriptures

Understanding the Scriptures

“And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45.

We are constantly using phrases such as, “It is written here,” or “It says in Luke,” or “Paul says.” But do we actually understand what we read? Has the Lord opened our understanding?

Philip was sent by an angel of the Lord along the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This road is in the desert. There he met a eunuch who sat in a chariot and was reading Isaiah the prophet. Philip said to him, “‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.” Acts 8:28-31.

It wasn’t only the road from Jerusalem to Gaza that was in the desert. There was also desert and emptiness in the eunuch’s heart; for he did not understand what he was reading. But after Philip had expounded to him the way of salvation, he went on his way rejoicing.

A scribe comprehends the Scriptures with his mind, but his heart remains cold. When God opens our understanding so we actually comprehend what we are reading, the same thing happens to us that happened to the disciples when they said to each other, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”