A Burning Heart - June 10, 2009

Luke 24:17-23, 28-32 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 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? “ “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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 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. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. … They said, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was as at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 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

Is your heart burning from being with Jesus? In this passage of scripture, two men were walking on the Emmaus Road about 7 miles outside of Jerusalem. They had heard from Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James & others that Jesus was not in the tomb any longer. Everyone (the disciples, the women and the believers in Jerusalem) wondered what had happened to Jesus. They knew that he was a prophet, that he spoke powerfully and did miracles. Many of them even walked with Jesus during his 3 years of public ministry. Yet, they still doubted what He said, “That on the third day, he would rise again.” Jesus addressed the two men as they walked along the road. He said, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
There was still doubt and disbelief in the minds and hearts of the disciples. Just like with the disciples, it takes the eyes of our understanding to be opened to see Jesus as He truly is--filled with His power, Prophet, Redeemer of Israel and the Gentiles. Jesus said they were slow of heart because they were doubting all that the prophets had spoken and all that they had seen Him do—miracles, signs and wonders. Yet as they were sitting together taking the Lord’s Supper together, their eyes were opened. They saw Jesus and recognized him. Even then they realized that their hearts were burning within them as he talked to them on the road and as he opened the scriptures to them.
Are there things in your life today that you are doubting? Answers and direction that Jesus has given you? Are you doubting that those things will come to pass? Are you doubting that Jesus is able to accomplish those things in your life? Like the two men on the road to Emmaus, we are slow of heart. In Mark 9, Jesus was asked to heal a young boy. The boy’s father said, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. Jesus' reply was, “If I can? Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”
Prayer for today: Lord help us to believe. Help us to have eyes that are opened to know who you are—Redeemer, Savior, Returning King. Let us believe your word and act upon it. Be with us today as we walk with you with burning hearts filled with belief.