Illumination

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:36-49

              In the well-known account of Jesus' interaction with the two disciples who were on the way to Emmaus after the resurrection we are told that Jesus, “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” In theology, we call that illumination. It is not enough to read or hear the Scriptures. We need God to turn the light on. We need illumination. Even when the person speaking and explaining the Scriptures is the Son of God Himself, the minds of the listeners needed to be opened.

              I admire those who do apolgetics well. I’m not a skilled debater and I don’t engage that was often. My mind isn’t nimble enough for that. I do love to preach and teach the word and I try to do it well. I’m regularly trying to learn how to do it better. But I also realize that the most skilled preaching is void of effect without the illuminating work of the Spirit of God.

              So we can and should pray, “open our eyes, open our hearts, open our minds so that we might understand Your word, O Lord.”