“And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45 NKJV
In response to Mary’s false news that the body of the Lord Jesus had been stolen from the tomb, Peter and John ran to the grave. Although John outran Peter to the tomb, Peter was the first to enter.
Even though Peter saw tangible signs or evidence that the Lord Jesus had risen, he did not believe. Peter didn’t see with spiritual understanding.
The Scripture records, “Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.” (John 20:6-7 NKJV).
After seeing clear evidence that Jesus had risen, Peter’s silence and inaction demonstrated his unbelief resulting from spiritual blindness.
Although Peter and John saw the same signs of Jesus’ resurrection when they both entered the tomb, only John believed that the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead, as He had told them many times before His crucifixion.
The Scripture testifies, “Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.” (John 20:8 NKJV).
Both Peter and John saw the same signs: the undisturbed linen cloths and the handkerchief used to wrap Jesus’ body; however, they responded differently. John believed, but Peter didn’t. Why?
The main reason for the difference in the conclusions and responses of Peter and John to the same signs they saw is that they saw them differently.
Different Greek words were used to describe how Peter and John saw the signs of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Greek word used to describe how Peter saw the signs is “theoreo,” denoting “to be a spectator of.”
However, the Greek word used to describe how John saw the signs of Jesus’ resurrection before he believed that the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead is “eidon,” meaning “to understand, to be sure.”
While Peter saw as a spectator, without grasping the meaning of what he saw, John saw with understanding and thus believed.
Until you begin to read and understand God’s Word spiritually, you will not be able to believe and receive God’s promises.
Beloved, you constantly struggle to believe God’s Word because you do not see God’s Word with a spiritual understanding. Perhaps, like Peter and Mary, you have only seen it casually but have not grasped the reality.
The antidote to your unbelief is spiritual enlightenment or understanding God’s Word with the help of the Holy Spirit!
Like John, you will respond in faith when you truly see or understand what the Lord is saying or showing you. Therefore, don’t just be pleased with reading or hearing God’s Word daily as a religious duty; you must seek a spiritual understanding or revelation of God’s Word.
It takes much more than intellectual ability to understand God’s Word!
You will never understand God’s Word unless the Lord opens your understanding. The Lord Jesus had to open the understanding of His early disciples so that they could comprehend His words.
The Scripture states, “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45 NKJV).
Friend, when you approach God’s Word with a willing, humble, and open heart to obey whatever God says in His Word, the Holy Spirit will also open your understanding so that you may see, understand, and believe God’s Word.
The Scripture assures, “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine…” (John 7:17 NKJV).
“The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” (Psa. 25:9 NKJV).
Therefore, this New Year, choose to approach God’s Word with a willing, humble, and open mind, asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten your understanding and give you spiritual insight into the truths of God’s Word, so that you may comprehend and believe God’s Word.
Prayer:
My Dear Holy Spirit, today, enlighten my eyes of understanding so that I may see the truths of God’s Word with spiritual insight, in Jesus’ name. Amen.