Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45

What do you think of when you hear the term “open-minded”?

Does someone who is willing to consider a different perspective, behavior, or belief come to mind? How does being open-minded connect with tolerance? Does being open-minded mean you must accept perspectives, behaviors or beliefs different than your own?

In Luke 24:45, Jesus “opened (the disciples) minds.” The Greek transliteration of mind is nous, indicating understanding, discernment, or intellect. I picture this as if Jesus opened the blinds of understanding. The disciples already had minds. They already had understanding, discernment and intellect, but Jesus opened – or adjusted – them to let in more.

Why? “…so they could understand the Scriptures.” Here’s the cool part. (Am I revealing my geeky Bible-nerd side?) The Greek transliteration of understand is syniem, meaning to comprehend, understand or perceive. Syniem is different from another Greek word for understand, manthano. Manthano indicates the capability of knowing. Syniem indicates the activity of knowing.

Jesus didn’t just give the disciples the information he wanted them to know. He revealed himself in a way that presented them the opportunity to engage with him and actively know more of him through Scripture.

God engages us in the process of knowing. God wants us to seek him. As we seek him, we grow closer to him, and he reveals himself to us even more. We don’t just learn information about him. He created us with the capacity to gather knowledge. We can fill ourselves up with knowledge, but he wants more for us. He wants us to actively seek him.

Being open-minded isn’t being like a sponge, soaking up and accepting everything around us. Being open-minded is active and discerning. It takes thought and effort. It’s about trust and timing. It’s listening, engaging, and responding…to God.

Being open-minded isn’t a new idea, proposed by our culture, a political system, or popular TV personalities and influential writers. Being open-minded is a biblical concept, distorted to fit what we as self-centered humans would prefer it to be. We think being open-minded in our definition of tolerance is an act of kindness and love. We applaud ourselves because we’re not judging anyone, and we’re letting everyone be who and what they want to be. We think we’re being selfless with our tolerance, but are we? Or are we placing ourselves in the middle of the universe? In our attempts to be nonjudgmental, are we becoming the judges of all, demanding tolerance as an absolute for all?

You might not believe Jesus’ words. You might not believe Jesus at all. But I encourage you to be open-minded…by his own definition. It might not happen today or tomorrow. It’s a process. Seek him and ask him to open your mind. Then search Scriptures. What can it hurt? If you see yourself as an open-minded person, tolerant of anyone’s perspective, behavior, or belief, you’ll simply be consistent in your definition of your open-mindedness. And if you decide open-mindedness has limitations? I suspect you’ll grow through that discovery as well. 

I am going to send you what my Father has promised. Luke 24:49