Word for Wednesday
Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45
Some years ago, one of the old telephone technicians gave me a large chart that I fastened to the wall of my cubicle. It was a huge chart, almost five feet high and eight feet long. It had fascinating components on the top and bottom, and a labyrinth of pathways that linked the various components. It was for some sort of switch, the old man had said, and I placed it on the wall because it was so eye-catching. But I had no idea what any of it meant, until one day, the old telephone technician sat down and guided me through the chart. He explained the purpose of each component, and described how the pathways worked. As he explained, little light bulbs flashed on in my brain, as my understanding of the chart grew. I think that chart was a little like the instruction that the Lord Jesus gave his disciples during his ministry; they needed to have Him open their understanding. It is also like the Bible is to us… unless the Holy Spirit gives us understanding, the Bible is little more than a fascinating unfathomable chart.
I think this is one of the great dangers of a seminary or Bible school… the students have their understanding of the Scriptures provided by men who might be right or might be wrong. So the students go forth with a warped understanding of the Word of God. No wonder there is a profusion of misinterpretations of Scripture and a wide variety of doctrines on each theme of Scripture. How much better to let the Lord teach us, to open our understanding!
Bible readings provide us the opportunity to learn from God, as a variety of exercised brethren share what God has taught them from the Word. Bible readings help to preserve the leading of the Holy Spirit in making us to understand.
Don’t get me wrong, we need good ministry, and we appreciate good and Godly men who take the Word and feed our souls. But the best of these men will agree that their understanding of the Word has been deepened and enriched by regular attendance at the Assembly Bible reading. Do you value the Bible reading? You should put more into it, and then you will understand more. -Jim MacIntosh