Heart Burn

Luke 24:32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

This is taken from the story in Luke 24 about two disciples traveling on the road to Emmaus. As they journeyed they were discussing the recent events of the crucifixion and Jesus' tomb being found empty. Somewhere along the journey Jesus joined them, but their eyes were restrained from recognizing Him. Jesus asked them what they were talking about and why they were so sad.

In verses 19-24 they responded, "...“The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”

They gave it to Him straight, as they saw it with their eyes and comprehended it with their minds.

Jesus replied, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Verses 28-31 go on to tell us, "Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight."

As I read this story today a few thoughts came to mind. How often do we go through something and try to understand it simply with our natural senses of sight, sound and feeling? How often do we reason the events away, discuss and dissect? How often do those circumstances defy our previous expectations?

I have no doubt these two disciples were heartbroken, confused and hurting. In fact, they were so caught up in how they felt that they could not recognize Jesus when He joined them. The scripture says their eyes were restrained. It does not say what restrained their eyes from recognizing their beloved friend. Perhaps it was the mix of emotions and confusion that blinded them to the fact that He was walking with them through all their pain and loss.

Once He heard their story he began to minister to them with the word of God. He began to remind them of what the word said about the Messiah. Whether Jesus is fighting the devil in the wilderness or consoling two friends during grief, He always used the word of God. Should we do any less?

When we have to stand and fight against an attack of the enemy we need the word of God. When we are trying to process mixed emotions and sort through confusion, we need the word of God.

As they neared their destination, still unaware of Jesus in their midst, Jesus indicated that He would travel on. They insisted He join them and so He stayed. It was not until He was seated at the table with them to break bread that their eyes finally beheld who He was.

This tells me that we must be willing to invite Jesus in and, more importantly, be willing to dine with Him. It is in that fellowship that we can truly know He is in our midst.

The two disciples realized in hindsight that they should have recognized Jesus. They said, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

They were simply too caught up in the moment to realize He was with them all along.

I wonder, if we were to tell Jesus about the current events in our lives, which scriptures He would expound upon to minister to us. That is a humbling and exciting thought to consider. Jesus knows exactly which word in His word applies to our lives at any given moment. Then, if we invite Him to stay and break bread with us, I wonder how our eyes might be opened.

What a beautiful to picture to behold! May you be blessed on your journey and not fail to recognize the Master walking by your side. May your heart burn within you as well.