Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27
Three days had passed since Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. Some of the women reported that His tomb was empty and that He was alive. But the disciples were not sure.
How did they come to believe the good news that the dearly loved Son of God was alive? Jesus “interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). We do not have a record of what Jesus told them, but He clearly gave them further explanation.
It might have included the words of Isaiah 53:5, and the description of a suffering servant: “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
It might have included the words of Isaiah 9:6, and the promise of an exalted Son: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
It might have included the words of Genesis 3:15 that God said to the serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
It might have included the wonderful invitation of Isaiah 55:1: “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!”
These disciples needed to hear the whole story, and when they got it, they said, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road?” (Luke 24:32). The numb heart becomes the burning heart as the larger picture of God’s amazing grace is unfolded to a person whose initial reaction was not to believe.
When you first heard the gospel, did you have trouble believing it? Did someone further explain God’s grace to you so that your heart burned within you?
