Blind - Day 122 Month 5-2 Week 18-3
Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)
Deuteronomy 2:22-3:29, Psalm 99, Jeremiah 14:1-12, Luke 24:13-35
Blind
“We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.” As the two followers of Jesus were walking toward Emmaus, Jesus had joined them but they were unaware because “their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.” They were blind to Jesus’ presence with them.
For those who are new to the Bible, there are 2 main sections of the Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament. Growing up surrounded by the church and hearing Bible stories at home and at church, I knew the importance of the New Testament, particularly the gospel of John. I memorized Bible verses and the first verse I memorized was John 3:16. I always wondered why we read the Old Testament. It had some great stories but amongst the stories were a lot of words and details that did not seem to apply to the Jesus of the New Testament. In recent years when I have heard more in depth discussions and done much of my own studying, I’ve realized much of the significance of the Old Testament. When we think about it, Jesus followers described in the New Testament only had the Old Testament to learn from. The words of the New Testament were written after Jesus' death in less than a lifetime.
As the two Jesus followers were listening to this perceived stranger, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the scriptures.” That’s right, Jesus is foretold throughout the Old Testament, in fact there is a blueprint Bible available that shows all the instances where Jesus is referred to in the Old Testament. The entire story of Jesus, His suffering and His death, are present in the Old Testament. In fact, the whole Old Testament is centered around Jesus. That blue print Bible is called “The Jesus Centered Bible.” I find it amazing that the entire religious world was blinded to the fact that Jesus was who He said He is.
They “were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.” So what is “redeemed?” To be redeemed is to recover ownership, pay off a debt and fulfill a promise. They were not only blinded to Jesus' presence with them at that moment but they were blind to the fact that Jesus did redeem Israel. But not only Israel, but He redeemed every human that would ever live. He took ownership of all the sins of the world - past - present- and future. He paid the debt we deserved (death) and He fulfilled God’s promise to the world of sending the Messiah.
Blindness is difficult, though those who are blind usually manage to adjust to daily living. Spiritual blindness can mean death. The two Jesus followers were blind to Jesus beside them but they were also blind to the fact that Jesus did, in fact, redeem them through His death and resurrection. The religious leaders were not only blind but they were also leading the spiritually blind people who listened to them. It was the blind leading the blind.
If you are concerned that you may be a “blind” person who is not seeing Jesus' presence around you, ask Him to heal your spiritual blindness. He came to make the blind see! If today, you only have faith the size of a mustard seed to ask Him, He will heal (remove) your blindness.
Have a great day!
Steve
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