Do disciples understand everything that Jesus said?
Scott at “Following His Path” has pointed out aa interesting passage in his short post “Don’t Miss What Jesus Said.”
He quotes from Luke 18:34 in which the author explains that the Twelve did not understand what Jesus had told them because “[it] was hidden from them.”
Concerning that verse, Scott says,
Do we have such a pre-conceived idea of Jesus that we miss what He says?
– understood none of these things.
– The meaning of this statement was hidden from them.
– they did not comprehend what was said.Let us not be arrogant and think we can know everything. Some things God will not reveal to us. Rev 10:14
But at the same time, let us look to God for His light. And keep our heart Prov. 4:23 soft and not hard. Hardness of heart will blind us from the truth. Eph 4:18
Now, I understand that this account happened before the Twelve (and others) were indwelled by the Holy Spirit. But, I wonder… do disciples today understand everything that Jesus said? Is it possible that some things are hidden from us today? Could something be hidden from some but revealed to others?
I think it’s possible… and I think Scott’s exhortation is valid: “Let us not be arrogant and think we can know everything.”
What do you think?
peter still got called out by paul for not dining with the non-jewish christians, so i do not know if the presence of the holy spirit (or perceived presence) is a guarantee of understanding of all scripture. if it were, would any of the epistles have been necessary?
When Jesus says to each church in Rev 2/3, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” I take Him at His word. Only those listening will hear.
Your recent posts on running and how He is using these experiences to teach you demonstrates well what it means to “have an ear.” One of the ways disciples reveal themselves to be disciples is when they tell how God taught them something as they gardened, or shopped, or cleaned, or were at work–doing simple, everyday things, and there they “hear” His voice. Eph 4:21
How unworthy we are of His attention in this way, but He delights when we are listening. Mrs anonymous put it well when she said, “…a lot of the struggles God has allowed in our lives have been used by Him to make us more compassionate, sympathetic, God-dependent people. We are in process. We are his workmanship. And praise Him, it’s a work He won’t abandon.”
Chas and Art,
Thanks for the comments. In Luke 18:34, the Twelve could not understand because “it was hidden from them.” I think that means they could not understand even if they were paying attention to what Jesus said. Is that possible today also? Does God hide things from some while revealing them to others?
-Alan
Hidden in plain sight. More than possible, I think this is how God operates (that various depths and meanings of what we have written to us in the scriptures is hidden from some and revealed to others, even those who want to hear).
Nor is God limited to revealing things only to those “with ears.” I’m thinking of Saul operating in darkness being bathed in the light and learning the remarkable truth that to touch one of these sect member followers of Jesus of Nazareth was to touch His Body
i think Christ reveals himself to whom he reveals himself. varying measures to whoever is ready to receive. this keeps us all dependent upon each other to hear how God is working, and keeps us from becoming puffed up.
Art and Chas,
I love contemplating this question. I know that I don’t know everything. In fact, I know that I don’t know much. For me, the question that I must continually ask myself is this: What am I doing with what God HAS revealed to me?
-Alan
I would like to know if Jesus actually requested that He himself not be worshipped but to worship the Father whom dwells within?
Delmar,
I haven’t seen anyone else on this thread mention worship at all. Can you give me a context for your question?
-Alan
Delmar, your question makes me think of the reaction of Thomas in John 20:
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
What was the response of Jesus to this proclamation?
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.