Cleopas and his friend couldn’t
They walked with Jesus for half a day, but didn’t recognize him. After all, he was dead. Jesus even explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Despite their hearts burning within them, they still didn’t understand.
Over the evening meal, Jesus gave thanks, broke bread, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened (Luke 24:31). It WAS him! He must have risen from the dead. They were so excited, they abandoned their dinner and rushed back to tell the disciples in Jerusalem.
While they were still talking, Jesus appeared again and confirmed the reality of his resurrection by eating their fish supper! What do we read next? Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45).
A necessary sequence of events
When we read a ‘then’, ask what the ‘then’ is for—a necessary sequence of events. When they thought he was dead, they didn’t recognize him or understand the Scriptures.
Only when their eyes were opened could they see the resurrected Jesus. And only when they KNEW he lived could he open their minds.
We cannot understand Scripture until we KNOW Jesus has risen from the dead. First, we must know he’s real. Then we must know he’s alive. Then, and only then, will the Bible make sense to us. Not only that, but our hearts too will burn as we discover Jesus in its pages.
That’s why the Scriptures are a closed book to unbelievers and such a joy to those who love Jesus.