“They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while He (Jesus) talked with us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?’” Luke 24:32
On the final night of this year’s Vacation Bible School, we read about two of Jesus’ disciples who were walking on the road to Emmaus. It is a thoughtprovoking story. The two disciples are grieved over the recent course of events that lead to Jesus’ death. And in summary, the hopes that they have in Jesus are dashed.
The text says in Luke 24:15-16, “While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.” How their eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus is a bit of a mystery. But the end result is the same. Jesus was alive and walking with them, but yet, they were living as though He were dead! Thankfully, all this changes as Jesus stays with them. Luke 24:30-31 says, “When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight.” And the next verse says that they said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?” In other words, knowing that Jesus was alive filled their hearts with wonder and joy.
Not unlike Jesus’ disciples of old, a bit of a mystery happens to us today too. Even though Jesus is alive and walks with us (Matthew 28:20), we are enticed to live as though He were dead. Of course this does not happen in a vacuum. It happens while we live in the midst of the trials and fears of life which seek to consume us. Like a contentious political landscape that includes another presidential election. Like strife within our own families that may include lifestyle choices. Like uncertainties over our health and a general concern for our children, grandchildren or aging parents. And with the volatility of life from day to day, we may be filled with a lot of anxiety as to where the road of this life is heading. In the end, we are left to live with a heart that is burnt-out.
But that is why this story is so joyful. It reminds us that Jesus IS alive. It reminds us that He DOES go with us. It reminds us that Jesus goes with us to provide for all our needs – no matter how daunting they may appear. And in summary, it reminds us that Jesus walks with us to give us life.
For the Bible points to the fact that Jesus has come to give us life. Jesus Himself says in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” So, as Jesus lives in you through His Spirit, may you be filled with a renewed sense of joy. A rekindled sense of joy. A joy that puts a spring in your step and assurance in your heart as you walk down the road of life.
Pastor Tuma