Luke 24:44-49 | Psalm 30
It might be easy sometimes for some people to question the role of scripture in it all. It can seem rather arbitrary, particularly in the modern world. But there’s something central for scripture for the Lukan Jesus, particularly after the resurrection. Both in the story of the two he meets on the road to Emmaus as well as in our passage for today, Jesus takes time to open their minds to understand the scriptures.
Mind you, these scriptures are not the totality of the Bible we are reading. They are the Hebrew scriptures. Nonetheless, Jesus is sure to show the disciples how they speak toward him.
It doesn’t seem that this could happen until Jesus. And it’s why it’s okay to view the whole Bible through the lens of Jesus. Sometimes Often people want to democratize the scriptures and make it all on equal standing. But scripture does not always agree. (Perhaps the point of scripture isn’t flawless agreement…what else might it be?) To say that all scripture is useful is not to say that all scripture is equal.
So the posture of this daily writing is to focus pretty strongly on the gospels, wherein we find the most explicit understandings of Jesus Christ.
Luke 24:44-49
Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.”
Psalm 30
I exalt you, Lord, because you pulled me up;
you didn’t let my enemies celebrate over me.
Lord, my God, I cried out to you for help,
and you healed me.
Lord, you brought me up from the grave,
brought me back to life from among those going down to the pit.
You who are faithful to the Lord,
sing praises to him;
give thanks to his holy name!
His anger lasts for only a second,
but his favor lasts a lifetime.
Weeping may stay all night,
but by morning, joy!
When I was comfortable, I said,
“I will never stumble.”
Because it pleased you, Lord,
you made me a strong mountain.
But then you hid your presence.
I was terrified.
I cried out to you, Lord.
I begged my Lord for mercy:
“What is to be gained by my spilled blood,
by my going down into the pit?
Does dust thank you?
Does it proclaim your faithfulness?
Lord, listen and have mercy on me!
Lord, be my helper!”
You changed my mourning into dancing.
You took off my funeral clothes
and dressed me up in joy
so that my whole being
might sing praises to you and never stop.
Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Prayer
God,
Help me to understand the Bible in the light and person of Jesus.
By your spirit & in his name,
Amen.