Burning Hearts

Submitted by Sam Nobles

Luke 24:13-31

The Bible tells the story of two men who had lost all hope after the crucifixion of Jesus. These two guys were trying to put as much distance between them and the cross as possible, but it was on their way back home, on the road to Emmaus, that Jesus actually appeared to these two, but they did not know it was Jesus. Only after Jesus taught them the Word and had fellowship with them did their hearts re-ignite and burn within them.

The Word of God
They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" (Luke 24:32 ESV)

The two men’s hearts didn’t burn when they talked to Jesus or when they talked about Jesus, but rather when Jesus talked to them because he spoke to them from the Scriptures. Instead of new revelation, Jesus offered them new insight on the things they had previously known. It has always amazed me at what people will do and where they will go in order to give meaning to their lives to ignite their hearts. All the while the answers they seek are found in the Word of God. A while back USA today said that 93% of the people they interviewed owned at least one Bible, but of those 93% only 55% had read any of it, and of the 55% only 25% said they read some on a daily basis. People who don’t read the Bible or read it occasionally at best will find that their hope will be gone and their burning heart will go out. If you’re going to have a burning heart for the Lord then you must let the Lord speak to you through the Word of God.

Fellowship
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. (Luke 24:28-31 ESV)

Jesus acted as if He was going farther. Why? He wanted to be invited inside. Jesus will never force Himself into anyone’s life, but look at the result of inviting the Lord inside: their eyes were open to realize they had been walking with the risen Savior.

These two guys willingness to fellowship allowed them to be some of the first to see with their own eyes that Jesus was alive and risen from the dead. Have you invited Jesus into your life? If you have not then you are ice cold, separated from God by sin, and facing the judgment to come. You don’t have to carry the guilt and burden of sin – just invite Jesus Christ into your life.

At the Cross sin is forgiven.

At the Cross the cold and lukewarm are made boiling hot.

At the Cross your life can be made right with God.

Scripture to Claim:
But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
Luke 11:28 ESV