Expository Thoughts On Luke - Luke 24:44-49
J.C. Ryle explains how Jesus opened His disciples' understanding of Scripture, revealing the necessity of His suffering and resurrection for salvation.
In this expository sermon, J.C. Ryle explores Jesus' post-resurrection teaching to His disciples, focusing on how Christ opened their understanding of Scripture. Ryle emphasizes the necessity of Christ's suffering and resurrection as central to salvation and highlights the vital role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating spiritual truths. This message encourages believers to approach the Bible with humility and prayer, seeking divine insight beyond human commentary.
Text
Let us observe, firstly, in these verses, the gift which our Lord bestowed on His disciples immediately before He left the world. We read that He "opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures."
We must not misapprehend these words. We are not to suppose that the disciples knew nothing about the Old Testament up to this time, and that the Bible is a book which no ordinary person can expect to comprehend. We are simply to understand that Jesus showed His disciples the full meaning of many passages which had hitherto been hidden from their eyes. Above all, He showed the true interpretation of many prophetical passages concerning the Messiah.
We all need a like enlightenment of our understandings. "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14.) Pride, and prejudice, and love of the world blind our intellects, and throw a veil over the eyes of our minds in the reading of the Scriptures. We see the words, but do not thoroughly understand them until we are taught from above.
He that desires to read his Bible with profit, must first ask the Lord Jesus to open the eyes of his understanding by the Holy Spirit. Human commentaries are useful in their way. The help of good and learned men is not to be despised. But there is no commentary to be compared with the teaching of Christ. A humble and prayerful spirit will find a thousand things in the Bible, which the proud, self-conceited student will utterly fail to discern.
Let us observe secondly in these verses, the remarkable manner in which the Lord Jesus speaks of His own death on the cross. He does not speak of it as a misfortune, or as a thing to be lamented, but as a necessity. He says, "The Messiah must suffer, and rise again the third day."
The death of Christ was necessary to our salvation. His flesh and blood offered in sacrifice on the cross were "the life of the world." (John 6:51.) Without the death of Christ, so far as we can see, God\
Sermon Outline
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I
- Jesus opens disciples' understanding of Scripture
- Disciples previously lacked full comprehension
- Prophecies about the Messiah revealed
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II
- The necessity of Christ's suffering and resurrection
- Christ's death as a divine requirement for salvation
- Not a misfortune but a fulfillment of prophecy
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III
- The role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating Scripture
- Natural man cannot understand spiritual truths without God
- Prayer and humility essential for true understanding
Key Quotes
“He 'opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures.'” — J.C. Ryle
“The Messiah must suffer, and rise again the third day.” — J.C. Ryle
“The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” — J.C. Ryle
Application Points
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to open your understanding when reading the Bible.
- Recognize the death and resurrection of Christ as essential to your salvation.
- Approach Scripture with humility, avoiding pride and prejudice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the disciples not understand the Old Testament before Jesus explained it?
They understood parts of it but lacked full comprehension, especially regarding messianic prophecies, until Jesus opened their understanding.
Why is Christ's death described as necessary?
Because it was God's ordained means for salvation, fulfilling prophecy and providing atonement for sin.
Can anyone understand the Bible without the Holy Spirit?
No, spiritual truths require illumination by the Holy Spirit; natural man cannot fully grasp them on his own.
Are human commentaries useful for Bible study?
Yes, they can be helpful, but the teaching of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are supreme.
What attitude should one have when reading Scripture?
A humble and prayerful spirit is essential to discern the deeper truths of the Bible.