{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Answer - Week 23: How Are Minds Opened Today?","description":"This message focuses on the question: \u201cHow are minds opened today?\u201d, which is part of our ongoing series: \u201cWhat\u2019s the answer?\u201d   Pastor explores how people\u2019s lives are changed and what changes their attitudes about God, about Jesus, the resurrection, and about the power of God\u2019s Word.   Pastor takes us through Luke 24:36-47, an encounter with Jesus that His disciples have with Him after His resurrection.  Jesus tells them: \u201cThis is what I told you while I was still with you; Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.\u201d Luke 24:44. He tells them everything written there points to Him.   Then next verse says, \u201cThen He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.\u201d How did Jesus do that?  Let\u2019s look at Luke\u2019s clues \u2026   Law of Moses Passover Lamb - Exodus 12. As protection from the tenth plague God told them He would passover their homes if they would take a lamb without spot or blemish, kill it, spread its blood on the doorposts of their homes, then roast and eat the lamb.  In Luke 22:15-16 Jesus tells His disciples: \u201cI have eagerly desired to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.\u201d  What He is saying about the Passover is that HE is the one that will fulfill it as The Passover Lamb. The Passover is a preview of God\u2019s redemption through the shed blood of Jesus.   Blood of the Covenant - Exodus 24. Moses built an altar at the foot of Mt. Sinai and the Israelites pledged to follow God. Moses took the blood of bulls, sprinkled it on the altar and the people saying, \u201cThis is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you\u2026\u201d Exodus 24:8. What this is, again, is a preview of the coming Christ and the fulfillment being found in Him.  Luke 22:20 Jesus says, \u201cThis cup (passover meal glass of wine) is the New Covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.\u201d This is just what Moses was showing was coming in Jesus.   Prophets  New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:31. God said that the days were coming when He would make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah and put His law in their minds and hearts and change them from the inside out! A Heart change!\u201d Jesus says, \u201cThis cup is the New Covenant!\u201d  Luke 22:20 Meaning He is the New Covenant.   Suffering Servant - Isaiah 53. \u201cHe was despised\u2026 He was pierced for our transgressions\u2026 the punishment that brought us peace was on Him\u2026 by His wounds we are healed\u2026 the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all\u2026 it was the Lord\u2019s will to crush Him\u2026 to make His life an offering for sin\u2026 He will see the light of Life (raised)\u2026 He poured out His life unto death and numbered with the transgressors.\u201d  In Luke 22:37 Jesus says, \u201cIt is written: \u2018And he was numbered with the transgressors\u2019 and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me.\u201d He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament words.   Psalms Crucified Victim - Psalm 22. \u201cMy God, My God why have you forsaken me?\u2026 hands pierced\u2026 lots cast for his clothing\u2026\u201d Jesus speaks these very words from the cross: \u201cMy God, My God, why have You forsaken me.\u201d   Luke 23:34 we read, \u201cand they divided up His clothes by casting lots.\u201d Jesus is the fulfillment of the words in the psalms.   David\u2019s Lord - Psalm 110. David wrote of the Messiah, \u201cThe Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand while I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.\u201d  Luke 20:41-44 We see Jesus using these very words to describe Himself.   How are minds opened today?  The same way today they were then: Encountering Jesus and seeing Him as the Risen Christ. The risen Jesus transforms people minds and brings relationship with the Living God. Encountering the Scriptures and seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of everything written about the Messiah in the Law, Prophets and Psalms. Encountering the scriptures changes us as we read them. Encountering the Holy Spirit. No one can believe without the Holy Spirit.   Luke 24 concludes with \u201cThis is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.\u201d  Today those words of Jesus continue to be fulfilled!   God our Father desires we repent and turn to Him so that our minds may be opened and our lives renewed forever.     Now What? Learn about God at https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.   Check out this video series from our website: https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/whats-the-answer   Join us Sundays  https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/sunday-service ","author_name":"Awake Us Now","author_url":"https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/","html":"