Then opened he their understanding

In this wonderful passage three things are opened: ‘he opened . . . the scriptures’, v. 32, ‘their eyes were opened’, v. 31, and ‘then opened he their understanding’, v. 45. These openings prefigure the ministry of the resurrected Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Luke begins and ends his Gospel with a journey from Jerusalem. In chapter 2, the travellers are unaware of the Lord’s absence; in this chapter they are unaware of His presence, v. 16.

How tenderly ‘Jesus himself’ draws near to this sorrowful pair! We picture the scene reverently, and listen with wonder to their conversation. Our hearts, with theirs, burn as He unfolds the types and figures of the Old Testament: ‘the things concerning himself’, v. 27. Passages, which before had been perplexing and unclear, are now plain. A suffering Saviour is entirely consistent with ‘all the scriptures’, v. 27. What a rich treasure store of picture and prophecy we have in the Old Testament! We, too, need Him to draw near and open the scriptures to us.

As they invite the Lord into their home, the Guest assumes the role of the Host and breaks the bread at their table, v. 30. Surely,this is a sweet picture of fellowship with Him. ‘Their eyes were opened, and they [fully] knew him’, v. 31. We, too, can testify to experiences of when our eyes have been opened to recognize Him. May we know Him today as we meditate on the word of God!

Later, the Lord appears to the disciples in Jerusalem. After demonstrating the reality of His physical resurrection, the Lord ‘opened their understanding’, v. 45. Can we imagine the thrill that must have filled their hearts as the redemptive plan of God became clear? The Lord not only explained the past, v. 46, but also set out an evangelistic programme for the future, v. 47. This programme would be empowered by the Spirit, v. 49, and the intercession of a heavenly High Priest, vv. 50, 51.

In the act of blessing them, the Lord is taken up into heaven. Today, those hands are still uplifted in blessing. Like the disciples, we worship and praise! vv. 52, 53.