Galatians 1:11-12

Galatians 1:11-12 - I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

In Paul we see a man who committed his whole life to furthering the gospel in the known world, but it was not always that way. When we first see him in the book of Acts we see him as a well trained Pharisee. He had learned everything there was to know about serving God, or so he thought. At that time he was preaching and enforcing a gospel that had man’s fingerprints all over it. It wasn’t until he was on his way to Damascus that he realized he was wrong.
Paul knew the difference between a religion made up by man and a religion that came from God. He had lived in both worlds. As a child he learned all of the rules and regulations of being a Pharisee. When he became a man he was committed to following the religion that he had been taught. Then Christ came in and he received a revelation of God that changed his life forever.
That’s the amazing thing about the gospel we preach. You could spend your whole life studying and know the bible inside and out and it will do nothing for you. It doesn’t matter how many sermons you have heard, or for that matter, preached. Without revelation of God through Jesus it will all be for nothing.
Like the old saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” It is important to know God’s Word, but without knowing Him it is just another book. If you commit your life to knowing all about God, you will grow weary. But if you commit your life to knowing God and following His plan for your life you ‘will soar on wings like eagles; run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.’ Surrender yourself to God and trust Him to give you revelation of the gospel.

Luke 24:45

Luke 24:45 – Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

       Jesus had been teaching His disciples from the day He first called them. He was teaching them scriptures and telling them of things that were to come. Some of it they got, but most they did not fully understand.

       Take Jesus death, for instance; Jesus had been telling them that He would die and after three days He would rise again. He even told them why He had to die, but they weren't getting it. After His death they thought it was over.  When they would meet together they would lock the doors for fear of the Jews. They did not understand.

       Then Jesus came back. This caused them to remember some of what He said, but they still didn't fully understand it. Now, in this verse we see Jesus opening their minds to the scriptures.

       Have you ever been reading a passage of scripture that you've read so many times before and all of a sudden you receive new revelation about it? Nothing is different about the words on the page, but something changes in your heart and mind. It’s like a light bulb turns on and you understand it in a way that you never did before. It’s the same scripture, but now it has new meaning.

       That’s what happened to the disciples in this moment. All of a sudden they understood all of what Jesus had been telling them. Jesus wants to do this for you every time you read the Word of God. It is a Living Word and He wants it to come to life in you.

       As you read the Word pray that God opens your mind to understand all that you are reading. It makes reading the Word so much more exciting. Ask for revelation and He will give it to you.