Scripture as friend

Two of Jesus' friends are on their way back home from Jerusalem, broken. They'd placed their hopes in Jesus, and now he's been crucified and buried. Then, out of nowhere, a stranger quietly joins them on their journey. When they reach home, they invite the stranger to stay for supper. Incoming spoiler... The stranger drops his disguise: he is actually Jesus (see Luke 24:13-35 for the full story).

Jesus had told these two friends ages before that he would return from the dead, just as the Scriptures from way back had foretold. And it seems they'd forgotten or not believed it could be true. So what did he do then? Reprimand them with that Scripture? No. He gently led them back to the truth. He pointed out how the Scriptures back then had always told the truth of his resurrection. This wasn't the time for a Scripture smackdown; Jesus wasn't using Scripture as a brick to point out God's truth.

These men had just been through the terror of witnessing their friend and leader die... Jesus, who wouldn't 'crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle' (Isaiah 42:3 NLT). Instead, Jesus uses Scripture like a companion. With it, he leads his bruised and grieving friends back to his wonderful truth.



So what now? How do you use Scripture in the Bible? As a papery brick to smack people with? Or as a friend to lead others to what is true? Ask God to, through Scripture, 'open my eyes that I may see wonderful things' (Psalm 119:18 NIV).





— SCRIPTURE —

'Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things.' Psalm 119:18 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Hab 1-3, Mark 13:24-37, Ps 78:56-64, Pro 24:5-10