Luke 24:30-35 - When He [Jesus] 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. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
This event in the Bible still amazes me. It's right after the resurrection of Jesus, and He starts making appearances to various disciples around Jerusalem. In this case, He comes beside two people walking on the road. They're downcast; they're disappointed; they're heartbroken concerning what happened to their Savior and Friend on Good Friday when He was crucified on the cross. Their sorrow was so all-encompassing that they couldn't—or maybe they wouldn't—recognize Jesus, even as He came alongside them.
Listen to what they said about His words to them: "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?" That's a fire. That's a burning that you and I need in the midst of our struggles and griefs. When I thought about what fires us up and gets us going, most of the things that do that for us, they eventually fade away. People are fired up at sporting events, cheering for their team, but that fades quickly, even if they win. People are fired up for their hobbies and leisure. But even the burning in our hearts for those things will fade if there's not something more substantial in our lives. And of course there are all kinds of fires burning in our hearts that do us no good at all.
So here's a thought for today: there are fires that burn things up, they destroy. And there are fires that motivate and give joy. Think of the fire that devours a forest or one that levels a house; it leaves nothing behind. Or think of a nighttime campfire that draws you into its heat and glow and transforms the darkness to light, joy, and camaraderie. Pray today that you know the difference in your life between fires that destroy (I'm not talking about literal flames here; I'm talking about what burns in our hearts), and the godly fire that burns within, as God works in our hearts to love Him and serve others.
So, seek the fire that God Himself ignites. Immerse yourself in the Words of Jesus, the Words of God, in the Scripture. It's a godly fire. It's a glow that will draw you close to His love and grace, and empower your life right through death itself.
And then listen again to the ones who walked with the risen Savior on the road that day.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, give us the fire of Your Holy Spirit. In Your Name we pray. Amen.
Based on "What Fires You Up?" a message from Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. When was the last time you were all fired up about something? Are you still enthused about it? Why or why not?
2. What does it mean to you that the disciples' hearts were burning within them when Jesus spoke to them?
3. What do you do to keep your faith life moving in the right direction, to keep Jesus front and center?
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 9-10 Ephesians 1
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