Heartburn. It strikes when stomach acid leaks backward into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest. Take it from me—an untreated case of heartburn will ruin your day.
A few days after Jesus’ crucifixion, two of His disillusioned followers experienced a different sort of “heartburn.” As they traveled out of Jerusalem, they were struggling to make sense out of what had just happened to their “mighty teacher” (Luke 24:13-14,19).
Suddenly, the risen Jesus showed up and asked them what they were discussing. But they didn’t recognize Him! (Luke 24:15-17). As they walked, Jesus began “connecting the dots” for them. Starting with the writings of Moses, He explained “the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27). When they arrived at the village of Emmaus, they urged Jesus to stay the night. As they sat down to eat, Jesus gave thanks for the bread, broke it, and gave it to them. “Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” And just as suddenly, He disappeared (Luke 24:31).
Astonished and amazed, they began to recall how their hearts burned inside them as Jesus explained the Scriptures. They finally understood that He was the fulfillment of Israel’s story (Luke 24:28-32).
The pair’s heart-burning encounter with Jesus mirrors the time when the first two humans’ “eyes were opened” after eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:7), but with one glaring difference: While the first couple hid what they saw (Genesis 3:7-10), these two couldn’t wait to share what they had come to see (Luke 24:33-34).
Jesus, give us fresh eyes to see how Your story completes the story that the Old Testament conveys. And may our hearts burn within us as we tell it.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Psalm 103:1-22
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 11:26 and see how partaking in the Lord’s Supper is a way to proclaim the story of Jesus’ death—the fulfillment of the ultimate Passover.
Next:
What will cause you to become more passionate about sharing Jesus with others? How does your heart burn within you as you consider your Lord?
Gary Shultz on May 16, 2014 at 6:21 am
I agree it ‘s good sometimes to have heart burn #2, God is usually responsible for that one. #1 is on you.
Tom Felten on May 16, 2014 at 8:32 am
Jeff, it’s a great thing to find our hearts burning for God. There are times when my heart feels like it’s going to burst as I worship Him or reflect on what Jesus has done for me. When our hearts aren’t burning for God, they’ll be cooling spiritually. May we experience the burning desire to praise and worship God with all we are today! (Psalm 103:22).