Understanding Scripture
Scripture
Matthew 26:31-35NIV states, “Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
Let’s pause for a moment. Jesus said, For it is written.” So, where is it written? Zechariah 13:7 states, “Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.” In other words, the seperation period between Jesus and the disciples would be the moment another prophecy would be fulfilled.
When the soliders came to arrest Jesus, “In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled” (Matthew 26:55 NIV).
Soul Searching
So, what is the lesson here?
Peter walked with Jesus, studied scriptures with Jesus, and experienced miracles, signs, and wonders; however, he did not understand the scriptures. He did not understand that Jesus was there to fulfill prohecies. How do I know this? Look at his actions.
- When Jesus predicts his death and resurrection, Peter rebukes him. (Matthew 16:21-23NIV)
- When Jesus tells the disciples they will “fall away on account of him,” Peter disagrees with him. (Matthew 26:31-35)
- When the soliders come to arrest Jesus, Peter cuts off a solider’s ear. (John 18:10-11 NIV)
In addition, when Jesus arose and appeared to the disciples, he said, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24: 44-48NIV).
So, what can we learn from this?
- We must ask God to open our minds to understand the scriptures. Otherwise, we will live contrary to the Word of God. For example, if we do not understand what it means to love thy neighbor, we may limit ourselves to people who look like us, vote like us, and worship just like us.
Think About It
So, I wanted Jesus to take care of Peter’s biases toward the Gentiles (as well as the Samaritans, who were half Jewish) but Jesus had to open Peter’s mind so he could understand scripture first. Think about it. Then, go to the Father and pray about it.
#Soul Searching with Our Father#
