BURNING HEARTS

Lk. 24:13-15 – gives us the story of some disciples of Jesus traveling to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem after Jesus was crucified discussing and reasoning about the current events of His death. V. 15-27 (READ)

V. 32 – And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

Talking and Reasoning –

1. Emmaus means “warm baths” – this really can describe spiritual conversations that are pleasing and yet ineffective in igniting our hearts as only Jesus can.

2. These disciples were examining the facts of the current events, comparing them to what they had believed.

a. Their faith was being scrutinized.

3. Eyes restrained – so they didn’t recognize Jesus as He spoke with them.

a. Mary didn’t recognize Jesus at the tomb at first – Jn. 20:14

b. None of the disciples recognized Him at first – Jn. 21:1, 4-8 – After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself…when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat…dragging the net with fish.

c. Sorrow dims the eye – Job 17:7 – My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow…. – This can be as simple as uneasy of mind, or painful thoughts that occur through loss or fears or consequences of actions taken.

d. Grief – Ps. 6:7 – My eye is consumed with grief… - This can also be from loss; or painful memories from something that happened in the past.

• Our grief can be due to adversaries (as in Ps. 6:7); or trouble (Ps. 31:9).

• When we are self-focused, we need Jesus to come to cause our hearts to burn.

Burning Hearts give Light Inside our Souls –

1. Jesus often starts with questions to break through our ‘reasonings’. What things?

• The disciples in Luke were ‘sad’ – troubled by what they had seen and heard; it didn’t line up with their expectations. They hadn’t really understood what Jesus had told them prior to death.

• Their natural expectations of what they thought Jesus would do led to their disappointment of the facts.

• Lk. 11:34 – Light is the ye; if single, body is full of light; if evil (i.e. fixed on troubles, or worthless things), then body is full of darkness.

• Pro. 20:12 – The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made even both of them.

o When you lose hope, or slip into disappointment, Jesus needs to question your heart to bring you back into the Light of His love and truth.

2. What made the disciples’ hearts burn?

• Burn here is made alive again with passion and an ability to hear and understand.

• Pro. 20:27 – The spirit of a man is the candle [lamp] of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart.

• Deut. 4:24 / Heb. 12:29 – For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. / For our God is a consuming fire!

o His Fire brings illumination of the Truth and revelation of things not known!

o His Fire brings heat, or passion, to our hearts to love Him as He loves us.

o It enables us to love others as He loves us (I Jn. 5:1) – This identifies that we are followers of Christ Jesus!

o His Fire impacts the lives of others through us – our testimony of His faithfulness; our witness of His goodness; our declarations of His majesty and power.

From Burning Hearts to Jesus in our Midst – Luke 24:33-36, 37-44, 45-49, 50-53 – (READ)

1. Returned to Jerusalem to tell other disciples what they had seen and heard. – Returned to belief.

2. Jesus stood in the midst of them (v. 36) – Peace to you.

• They were terrified and frightened – sometimes Jesus’ in our midst messes with our reasoning and emotions! This is why HE SPEAKS PEACE!

• Questions: Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise?

o Thought they had seen a spirit; or an imagination of the mind.

o He gave them proof – ‘touch Me’

o Gave them food to eat so they could taste / feel it with senses. He also ate.

• He opens the understanding (v.45)

• Speaks Promise of My Father upon you (v.49) - and

• Instruction – tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.

• Lead them out to bear witness of His ascension and to release them to do what He had instructed them to do.

We need burning hearts that are fanned by the flame of Jesus’ words into our understanding so that we can receive His empowerment to be witnesses for Him in this world.