Read the Word:
Luke 18:31-34
Meditate on the Word:
Many older Christians, who have followed Christ long-term, have shared a similar experience with me. That experience is, when reading a very familiar passage, they will suddenly see and understand it in a way that they never have before. God reveals something fresh to them at a point in their life when they are ready for it. My opinion is that the Holy Spirit helps us to see the word of the Lord with fresh eyes at various stages of our lives.
Hearing their experiences, and watching the disciples struggle over and over with the plainly spoken words of Jesus, gives me a great hope when I struggle with understanding a passage of Scripture. Knowing that the meaning of some things was hidden from the Twelve at times reminds me that only the Holy Spirit can give the meaning of the words of our Lord to us. I’m certain that the disciples knew what the words meant, but were likely trying desperately in their heads to make them mean something else. Are we tempted to do this with passages and commands that make us uncomfortable? Certainly. But we must remember that since all scripture is “God-breathed” that He assigns all the meaning to His words. He also helps us to understand them when the time is right.
Pray the Word:
Confess your limited understanding to the Lord and ask Him for wisdom to understand.
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