A Burning Heart

 DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

A BURNING HEART

Luke 24:13-32

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"  27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

NIV

Although we were with this passage yesterday and focused on the question that Jesus asked them, we also wanted to consider the hearts of these two men. First, when they thought they had lost Jesus to the cross, and it might look like their moment was going to come to an end their hearts were downcast. Life without hope is a sad way to live. It is also an unfortunate way to live having eyes closed, which also means the heart is closed and not being able to recognize Jesus. To be kept from being able to see Jesus would mean a hopeless life. It is interesting that in our conversations with people who, at least, know the name of Jesus, but do not see him as their Lord and Savior think they are going to heaven when they die because they think they are a good person. Yet, in reality, they are living in the dark without a real reason for hope. Their hope is in being a good person, but that will not do them any good. Hopelessness is no way to live. Jesus even told those two men they were foolish and slow of heart. But the wonderful thing that happened was that as Jesus sat with them and broke the bread, their eyes and hearts were opened, and they knew it was Jesus. How they must have been excited, and full of that same hope all over again. I remember the excitement I felt the first time I met and recognized Jesus for who he is. My heart was pounding within, and I could not contain my exuberance because, for the first time in my life, I had hope there was more than death being the end of my life. My heart was burning because I had recognized Jesus. Let us never let the fire go out of our hearts, let us always have a burning heart.