“They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he [Jesus] talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures.'” – Luke 24:32 (ESV)
Reading the Bible is always a blessing, but the blessing is double when you are taught by a wise and gifted Bible teacher. Here is the truth, however…No teacher compares to Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher. Two men unknowingly walked with the resurrected Jesus Christ, and they received a grand Gospel lesson from the Old Testament Scriptures. We do not know the specifics of the lesson, but we do know the profound effects of the lesson upon the two men. Their “hearts burned within them” as Jesus explained the Scriptures to them.
You may be thinking, “This was a unique event in world history. Jesus will not teach me in-person!” So, why should you care about the experience of these two men in Luke 24:32? Because…Time spent with Jesus Christ is life-changing, especially when we are sitting in His classroom. Jesus’ words are clearly stirring and impactful because they are authoritative, utter loving truth, and are eternal in their consequences. The Bible is God’s Word, God’s revelation to mankind. It is through the Bible that Jesus continues to teach us today.
Consider the following claims by Jesus about His own words. Remember…These are only a few of the many claims that Jesus makes about His own Words and about Himself…Only a few!
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” – Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they [Scriptures] that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” – John 5:39-40 (ESV)
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” – Matthew 24:35 (ESV)
Dear reader, I ask you to consider these verses honestly and seriously. These are words of weight and significance. Jesus Christ makes claims about His own Words that are not only astounding but also claim the authority that only God Himself would dare to speak. Who else but Almighty God would state that His Words are eternal, life-giving, and the sure path to enduring the storms of life and eternity if those Words are obeyed? These are the words of either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of all. We must either reject or embrace such claims. There is no middle ground. Jesus’ works, especially his resurrection from the dead as He said, confirm He is Lord of all.
Yet, if we are careful students of Luke 24:32, we must notice that the men were not impressed only with Jesus’ claims as they walked along the road with Him. What was it that drew their attention? It was the impact of Jesus’ teaching upon their hearts and affections. What was the impact? Their hearts “burned within them” as Jesus explained the Old Testament Scriptures. What was so special about this lesson?
“And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” – Luke 24:25-27 (ESV)
Do you see it, dear reader? Jesus explained to them from the Old Testament Scriptures “the things concerning himself.” When we hear about Jesus Christ’s love for sinners like you and me…When we hear of Jesus Christ’s merciful grace by dying in the place of sinners like you and me…When we hear of Jesus Christ’s perfect righteousness given to needy sinners like you and me through faith in Him…When we hear of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead that promises resurrection and eternal life with Him for sinners like you and me…When we understand that Jesus Christ will return in judgment and to gather those who trust in Him as Savior and Lord to live with Him forever…How can our hearts not burn within us? Dear reader, how can our hearts not leap with joy at God’s perfect plan to save sinners like you and me through the death and resurrection of His own Son, Jesus Christ?
Spending time with Jesus means reading God’s Word and sitting under the teaching of God’s Word. His Words can convict you of your sin and will stir joy, thankfulness, repentance, and faith in your heart as a loving response to the mercy shown by so great a Savior and Lord. Undoubtedly, the burning hearts that the two men sensed as they heard and believed on Jesus Christ’s Words about Himself can be your experience, too. Dear reader, spending time to learn and understand Christ’s loving words of compassion, His firm words of correction, and His pleading Words for you to come to Him in repentance and faith can stir your heart’s affections, too.
Here is my challenge to you. Please read John 11:1-44, and see if your heart is moved as you read Christ’s Words of love and compassion for sinners like you and me.
May Your Eyes Be Opened To Your Need of Christ,
Eric Conner
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