Heart Burn
I love the story of the Emmaus Road. Jesus died, rose from the grave and then appeared to a couple of average guys walking down the street. They were talking about Jesus and Jesus walks up. The Bible says “their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him” (John 24:16). I believe that they were kept from realizing it was Jesus for one reason, so that He could ask them the question he asks everyone…”who do you think I am?” Now He doesn’t come out and phrase the question that way, but when Jesus walks up He asks the men what they were talking about. Their response is “Are you the only one who is unaware of what has happened with Jesus?” Then, Jesus says, “What things?” He is basically asking the men to give an account of what they think about everything.
It’s not enough that you know about Jesus. It’s not enough that you talk about Him or even wear shirts with His face on them. It’s not even enough that you go to church and call yourself a Christian. Sooner or later you will have to give an account to Jesus Himself of “What you think about Him.”
The men continued their conversation down the road with Jesus as He explained to them from Moses, everything that was foretold and was supposed to happen to Jesus. The Bible says that as they entered their house Jesus almost walked on until they invited Him in. This reminds me of when the disciples were on the boat in the storm. In Mark 6:48 it reads “He intended to pass them by.” Whether it’s a couple guys just talking about Jesus, if you are stranded on a boat and need help, you are drinking coffee at home alone, or feeling bored in a worship service; Jesus is going to walk by and wants to see if we can recognize when the Holy Spirit is moving. This leads me to my last point.
After the men in Luke 24 go home and sit down to eat with Jesus, He breaks bread and as he is about to serve them, they recognize its Jesus and The Lord disappears. The men then went bonkers. And they say (vs 32) “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road?” Oh man! When you choose to recognize the Lord in your daily life and your response to His question of “Who am I” is “MY LOVE” then your heart will surely burn within you.
A burning heart melts away cold sin. A burning heart keeps the fire of love warm between you and God. A burning heart is contagious to others. My encouragement to you is to make time for the Lord; not just talking about Him, but talking to Him. Let Jesus walk you through His Word and give you the best case of “heart burn” you’ve ever had.
