Luke 24:13-35
It is in these interactions between Jesus and his disciples, post-resurrection, that we come to more fully understand the inner-workings of faith. These disciples had sat under his teaching for years. He explained parables to them in detail, so that they may understand when others did not. He told them on numerous occasions how he would be handed over, suffer and die, then buried and raised again to life. They had confessed him as the Messiah, forsaking all to follow him in obedience. And yet, at a most crucial time, they reveal their hearts by saying, in their disappointment, that they had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel (vs. 21). Everything he had taught them about himself and upcoming events was unfolding before their eyes and they were completely missing it (vs.20, 23). They understood things conceptually but could not grasp it practically. Even when he appeared among them from the dead they did not believe (vs. 41), instead thinking him to be a spirit (vs.37). Jesus, once again, explains the Old Testament to them, from the beginning, laying it out clearly for them, but still it missed the mark (vs. 27), since they continue to disbelieve (vs. 41). They "understood" what he had been saying to them, they just didn't believe it. Even the Pharisees had understanding of scripture. They knew what their life should look like scripturally; they were anticipating the Messiah, understanding and aware of his coming. They knew where he was to be born and what his purpose was to be in coming. They were filled with understanding, but it did not lead to belief. It is not until Jesus opens his disciple's eyes (heart) to scripture that their understanding finally leads to belief, instead of doubt (vs. 45). How interesting that what their minds finally grasp, their hearts had already been speaking to them (vs. 32). And this is the key to understanding, true understanding. Understanding (folly- I Corinthians 2:14) originates in the mind, but belief (true understanding) originates in the heart. One can easily have one without the other. The disciple's hearts cried out for belief, but their minds overcame this belief with mental comprehension and reasoning, which subdued their belief. No matter how incredible an occurrence may be, intellect will never rise up to grasp it as belief, even when involving something as amazing as one rising from the dead (vs. 41, Luke 16:29-31). Belief originates in the heart, not the mind. We may understand things, and comprehend them, but it is with the heart that true belief is cultivated (Romans 10:9). Jesus is the one that opened their eyes. It is the Spirit that opens eyes to see, that imparts truth and understanding, and this takes place within the heart, a place the mind does not dwell or venture. These are spiritual matters, worked out within one's heart spiritually, according to the workings of the Spirit, matters unconcerned with comprehension (I Corinthians 2:10-14). We must stop waiting for things to make sense to us or until we understand things better before we walk in faith. That is not faith. We also must never think that because we grasp concepts, because we understand them, that we automatically believe them also. Neither one ensures the other. One leads to eternal life, the other to eternal condemnation. Our minds, like the disciples, play too active a role. They are too involved in matters that do not concern them. Our minds must be renewed by matters of the heart (Romans 12:2), not the other way around. Heart first, then mind. To reverse this order is to invite deception, and to ignore the burning hearts within.
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