Reading Through the Bible in One or Two Years (RTB-1-2) Conference Dec. 18, 2021.
A Journey with Jesus
The Road to Emmaus Encounter
One of my most favorite passages of scriptures in the bible is Luke 24:13-35. That passage embodies or tells us about the encounter that two disciples had with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. I classify that encounter as a “Journey with Jesus through the scriptures”. I was thinking about just paraphrasing the passage before discussing it, but since we are seriously dealing with the subject of reading thru the bible we should as well go ahead and practice it.
Luke 24:13-32 King James Version
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Summary & Process
To summarize in a few words, this passage of scripture, begins with a true-life enigma, (they were very confused about the current events and wondered whether this man who was crucified and was being claimed to have arisen was the true messiah. They had questions that had to be answered). So in this passage a true and realistic life enigma leads to an exposition of the scriptures (and not some of the scriptures but pretty much all of the scriptures) by the Lord and that leads further to am invitation to breaking of bread which is symbolic of in depth fellowship and finally it culminates in a revelation of the person of Jesus.
True Life Enigmas
One major reason why we must constantly and consistently be in the scriptures is because the enigmas of life are very real. Challenges are not just a fluke, they are real. We must stay in the word because of its relevance to true life situations, enigmas and challenges. We are not being admonished to be active in the scriptures just for the sake of gaining biblical knowledge, bedazzle people with our understanding or have the ability to quote scriptures but for practical day to day reasons. Many a time we find ourselves in situations where we do not know what to do and beloved believe me or not that is where the scriptures we have in us becomes even more useful. The word you have in you is a present help in time of trouble. Let’s take a listen to what Proverbs 22:20 & 21 have to say.
Proverbs 22:20-21 King James Version
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
Literal Translation of the Above
Here the scriptures are being referred to as “Excellent things in Counsels and Knowledge…”
Its’ purpose is to bring us to the place of certainty, that place where we know that we know that we know. That place which caused Paul to say for I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded…” That we know the certainty of the words of truth. Truth is divine reality. Reality as God sees it. Reality from God’s perspective.
Finally It enables as to respond accurately to the challenges of life…”just as Jesus did when He was tempted. Each time He said “It is written…”
Proverbs 16:1 King James Version
16 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
Secondary Interpretation
The purpose of the word, is in order for the truth to dawn upon us. I always say that the truth sets no one free rather it is the truth we know that sets us free.When the truth dawns upon you thru the agency of the scriptures you know how to respond to the adversarial situations of life.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
The length Breath & Scope of the Scriptures
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Here He is talking about the first five books, the major and minor prophets and pretty much all of the scriptures….
He explained and interpreted for them the things referring to Himself found in all the scriptures. Jesus literally went thru the breath, length and scope of the scriptures and so should we do as well, hence the need to read thru the entire bible. The New is concealed in the Old and the New reveals the Old
The Increase of Grace & Peace
The More the better
The more of the word that you have the better because the more informed you will be.
2 Peter 1:2 King James Version
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
This means that the more knowledge you have of the Lord the greater the grace and the greater the peace in your life. Luke 24:27 tells us that
The Things Concerning Himself was the Emphasis
Luke 24:27 King James Version
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
It is however important to note that He expounded on the scriptures to the extent that it revealed Him. Our desire for the scriptures should not just be based on acquiring biblical knowledge. We must be interested in it to the extent that it reveals the person of Jesus. We study the scriptures to know a person. Your focus on scripture must be about knowing Him. Paul the apostle said that I may know him. The scriptures must reveal a person to you.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The Two Eye Openers of Revelations
1)The Book of Revelations, begins with five words. The revelation of Jesus Christ… This whole thing is about Him. The scriptures are relevant to the extent that they reveal Him. I am saying this because you can read this bible religiously and intellectually and miss Him.
Search the scriptures in order to know Him because all of scripture was written to reveal Him anyway. 2)The book of revelations tells us that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Everything concerning Him is the reason why the book was written in the first place.
IN THE KNOWLEADGE OF HIM
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
IN THE KNOWLEADGE OF HIM… with emphasis. Find truths about Him both in the old and new. Find Him in the Law the prophets the Psalms the Gospels and the Epistles.
Why We Need to Know Him
He Is Our Typical Prototype
One reason we need to discover Him is because He is the typical prototype of who we are and in order to know who we are we need to know who He is. Scripture tells us that when he is revealed we shall be like Him. As He is revealed to you the more you will want to fellowship with Him and the deeper He will reveal Himself to you. Deep will call unto deep.
May Our Understanding of Him bring us here
1 John 1:1-3 King James Version
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Return to All Messages.
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