During one of the recorded resurrection appearances, Jesus "opens the minds" of the disciples "to understand the scriptures." (Luke 24:45) At the supper at Emmaus with Jesus, two disciples exclaimed, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was opening the scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32)

What is this "opening" of the scriptures, and of the mind? In what sense are they closed until God moves upon them? In relation to the scriptures, the idea of a messiah who suffers, dies, and rises from the dead is hidden in Moses, the prophets, and the psalms. It is not immediately obvious from reading scripture, though once one has the concept, pointers to it are found often. The fulfillment itself, in the passion and resurrection of Jesus, is the key to unlocking the mystery of God's anointed One.

Opening the mind is another story. It refers to something like what we today call a "paradigm shift." All kinds of assumptions, familiar associations, unquestioned learnings, and plain old personal preferences can lock doors to insight, especially to recognizing the mysterious actions of a God who does surprising things. Before their minds were opened, Jesus' closest companions experienced startlement and terror, and joy mingled with disbelief and wondering (Luke 24:37,41). Hmmm... How long since you've felt those emotions?

May God of the Unexpected surprise you today. Amen.