“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)
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On the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35 ESV)
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some 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.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 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. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 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?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
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Our Lord reveals Himself to us in many ways; however, we often fail to recognize that He is present with us at all times. Although they did not recognize Him initially, the men on the road to Emmaus eventually recognized that Jesus was truly there with them. When the Lord spoke and opened the Scriptures to them, their hearts burned (see Luke 24:32) for it is through the Scriptures that God speaks to us and reveals Himself to us. While He is with us always (see Matthew 28:20), our Lord speaks directly to us through His Word and we have communion with Him. By the power of His Holy Spirit, we are enlightened and our eyes are opened to understand His message and witness His presence.
When we open our hearts and minds to receive the Word of God, He opens our eyes to recognize Him and He changes not only our minds but our hearts as well. While others are unable to understand and refuse to accept Him, He speaks directly to us through the Scriptures and fills our hearts with His presence and His love. Our hearts burn as we hunger and thirst for more of Him and He indeed satisfies us and fills our hearts to overflowing.
Jesus wants to set a fire in our soul - an eternal flame of love that burns in our hearts. His Holy Spirit fills us and enkindles in us the fire of His love. We know that we live in Him and He lives in us because He has given us of His Spirit! (cf. 1 John 4:13)
“...set a fire down in my soul
that I can’t contain and I can’t control.
I want more of You God!”
(excerpt from “Set a Fire”, by Will Reagan)
Let’s open ourselves today and every day to receive His Word and God will open our eyes and our hearts will burn and yearn for more of Him!
"Heart Burn" is awesome! The love of Christ will feed the fire that burns in your heart! Ask Him to come and He will fill your heart with the fire of His love!
Loving Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Word and for revealing Yourself to us through Your Word! Open our eyes to see You and our hearts to receive You! Send Your Holy Spirit to fill our hearts and enkindle within us the fire of Your love! We want more of You! We love You and we praise You! In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen. †
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