Editorial February 10, 1962 Issue

Understanding the Scriptures

Ralph E. Wagers

Luke made an important contribution to Christianity in providing two books of the Bible, the Gospel that bears his name and the Book of Acts. In his Gospel he records two incidents that show the importance Christ Jesus attached to understanding the Scriptures.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus, following his custom of going into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, stood and read from Isaiah the prophecy that foretold the coming of the Messiah. Closing the book, he said to the congregation, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:21).

At the end of his successful ministry and immediately after his resurrection, Jesus met two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus. He walked with them a while, unrecognized, and listened to their discussion of the events that had just occurred. Then he entered into the conversation and referred to the Scriptural prophecies concerning himself. The account reads that when the disciples were alone they said to each other (Luke 24:32), "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"

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