WEDNESDAY March 20, 2024
Persuasive Words
So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
Acts 28:23
Paul wasted no time. Whether in prison or under house arrest, he used every opportunity to preach and teach the Gospel. On this occasion, he called the Jewish leaders to a meeting to expound the Gospel to them. Starting from the books of Moses, he theologically went through the Old Testament, persuading them of the validity of Christ as the Messiah.
After Jesus’ Resurrection, He walked alongside two disillusioned disciples on the road to Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. Unknown to the disciples, Jesus came to them. They thought Him to be a stranger and explained how they had expected Jesus to redeem Israel. Now that He was dead, they had lost all hope (Luke 24:13-24).
Jesus began to explain the Scriptures to them: And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself (Luke 24:27). Later, Jesus made Himself known to them: Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight (Luke 24:30-31).
How did Jesus’ persuasive words help these two disillusioned disciples? Through the teaching of the Scriptures, they had renewed hope in the risen Christ. They now understood the things written about Him. A fire for Christ had nearly gone out of their hearts, but the flicker was fanned: And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).
Are you disillusioned with Christianity today? Be fully persuaded from Genesis to Revelation that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.
We find Christ in all the Scriptures. In the Old Testament He is predicted, in the Gospels He is revealed, in Acts He is preached, in the epistles He is explained, and in Revelation He is expected.
~Alistair Begg~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
