Know the Scriptures … and Rejoice in the Gospel! | Matthias Lohmann

Matthias Lohmann reflects on Jesus’ encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35) to show how Christ turns sadness and confusion into joy through a right understanding of Scripture. The disciples know the facts about Jesus’ death and the empty tomb, yet their hopes are shattered because they misinterpret those facts. Jesus rebukes them—not for failing to recognize Him, but for failing to believe all that the prophets had spoken. Their problem is not ignorance of Scripture, but inability to read the Old Testament as pointing to Christ.Jesus then gives a two-hour Bible study, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, showing that the Messiah had to suffer and then enter His glory. Lohmann emphasizes that Jesus expects His followers to read the Old Testament as a single story centered on Christ, not merely as isolated texts. True understanding and lasting joy come not from seeing Jesus physically but from seeing Him in Scripture. Their hearts “burned” before their eyes were opened.When they finally recognize Jesus in the breaking of bread, He vanishes—yet they are overflowing with joy because the Scriptures now make sense. Lohmann concludes that Christians must read, teach, and preach the Old Testament confidently to show God’s unified, sovereign plan and to anchor believers in deep, resilient joy.