Life Lines
the road to emmaus: a continuing journey
When the disciples asked Jesus why He so often spoke in parables (instead
of clear teachings), He said: “Because it has been given to you to know the
mysteries of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Matthew 13:10,11)
He also offered this familiar assurance: “I have yet many things to say unto
you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He the Spirit of Truth is
come, He will lead you into all truth.” (John 16:12,13)
How blessed we are in the New Church to have what the Spirit of Truth
has revealed about the internal sense of the Word. But two thousand years later
most of the world still does not have that light. Why that is we cannot say –
although we are still witnessing the fallout from the Last Judgment – but must
do what we can to set that light on a hill.
Scholars and church groups all over the world still diligently study the
literal sense of the Bible. No doubt their perceptions are elevated at times, but
their speculations are limited.
David Limbaugh is one such seeker. He is the much-less-bombastic
brother of Rush Limbaugh, known in his own right as a prominent lawyer,
lecturer and commentator. He is also a self-taught biblical scholar, whose latest
book is: The Emmaus Code – Finding Jesus in the Old Testament.
He is convinced that the story of the two disciples encountering the
resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus “is the key that unlocks the Old
Testament, showing that its entire purpose is to herald the coming of our
Savior.”
We know this is true – that the Old Testament is filled with prophecy and
portent about the Lord coming on earth. But we also know that it is only Divine
revelation – not human scholarship – that unveils the spiritual meaning.
In that walk to Emmaus after His crucifixion Jesus opened these disciples’
understanding of the Scriptures, which He has also done for us in the revelation
given through Emanuel Swedenborg.
Limbaugh is diligent, scholarly and sincere in his quest to find spiritual
meaning and harmony in the Old Testament. He quotes scores of scholars who
have similarly probed for meaning. But they are looking only at the letter of
the Word.
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