For a number of days I have been looking at a familiar and beloved story that occurred in Luke shortly after the resurrection of Jesus. Join me today in our final consideration of this text. I invite you to reflect once again on it. Here is our text, our story:
The Journey To Emmaeus
“13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over 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 took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there they came back and told us that they had indeed 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 they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread” Luke 24: 13-35.
In this story the disciples urged Jesus to stay with them. Why the disciples urged Jesus to stay with them (v.29) gets answered in v.32 when they admit that their hearts were burning within them as Jesus interpreted the meaning of the Scriptures to them.
QUESTION: “29 But they urged Him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them” verse 29.
ANSWER: “32 They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us’” verse 32?
Here is my question I am asking myself today - and I invite you to ask this question of yourself: In what ways do these two texts speak to me about my own journey of life? Why is it so important in daily prayer to ask - to beg - the Lord too come to us and stay with us? What is the difference in living our daily lives when we earnestly desire the Lord’s presence rather er than we live this day without this desire?
How do these texts speak to us about our prayer life, our spiritual life?
Why is our daily spirit work essential to living our life?
In what ways do we account for living our life without “burning hearts” for Jesus’ presence and grace today?
Today, bring your burning heart to Jesus!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” Matthew 5:16.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” James 5:16.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”
Romans 12:1-2.
“John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” Luke 3:16.
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