Hearts a Fire
(Luke 24:13-35)
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he zvanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Introduction:
The disciples knew that Jesus was the promised King of Israel. Jesus is the root of Jesse—the Messiah from David’s line—who rules over Jewish and non-Jewish people. (Luke 19:11 Isa 11:10) They were expecting Him to set up a kingdom and free them from Roman bondage, although Jesus had taught them that His Kingdom was not of this world. “But first, He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. (Mark 8:31) So, this road these two were walking after Jesus' death appeared to be disappointing. All of us have our Emmaus roads. People disappoint us, circumstances disappoint us, and careers disappoint us. Sometimes it seems that God has disappointed us like He did these disciples, disappoints us when He does not act in the way or in the time we expect Him to. This causes our enthusiasm for God and the gospel to burn low. Some things that happened on their journey rekindled their fire for Jesus and telling the Good News.
1. Jesus drew near to them as they walked.
Hebrews promises that He Himself (Jesus) has said, “I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. (HEBREWS 13:5 B SEE ALSO Ps. 37: 25) However, the text says, but their eyes were holden that they should not know him. (Luke 24:16)
Commentaries offer several reasons why they did not recognize Jesus. Considering their sadness (v. 17), these followers clearly did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. The empty tomb and the report of the angels’ announcement were not enough to convince them. I feel that Jesus is often near, and we fail to recognize His presence. We simply do not believe His promise.
2. He opened the Scripture to them.
I have people say they can’t understand The Bible. I don’t believe anyone can unless they invite Jesus into their heart and have Him open the scripture. Dr. Adrian Rogers says,” One of the prayers that every servant of God ought to pray is Psalm 119:35 Make, thy face to shine upon thy servant and teach me thy statutes. And Psalm 119:25, I am thy servant; Give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies.” (Psalm 119:35,25)
I love to hear good preachers or teachers explain The Bible. But in times like these, every Christian needs to get alone with Jesus and let him open the scriptures. My sweet wife has the habit of doing this every morning before she begins her day. Jesus Christ is the best expositor of scripture, particularly the scriptures concerning himself.
3. They ask Jesus to spend time with them because the day was far spent.
I turned 85 in March. Likely my days on Earth are almost done. Whether I am called home tomorrow or blessed with many more years, I want Jesus to stay close. We all need to be close to Him these days; I don’t remember a time such as this. If there was ever a time we needed Jesus, it’s now. If we are to be effective in His ministry and happy in our life, we must have Him to walk with us daily.
4. Jesus rekindle their fire.
The text says, 32And they said one to another, was not our heart burning within us, while he spoke to us in the way, while he opened to us the scripture? 33And they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
Conclusion.
The best conclusion to this message is found in this old song. “When you) feel a little prayer wheel turning (And you) will know a little fire is burnin' (You will) find a little talk with Jesus makes it right. I may have doubts and fears, my eye be filled with tears. But Jesus is a friend who watches day and night. I go to him in prayer; He knows my every care, And just a little talk with my Jesus makes it right. (Lyrics by Cleavant Derricks) If the recent celebration of His resurrection did not rekindle your fire to share the “good news of the Gospel. Your wood is
wet.
As I conclude this message, I would like to know if you know this Jesus who talked to these disciples and explained everything to them they needed to know who he was. They come to understand who Jesus was. Let me share with you how to open your life to Christ. All you have to do is act. Let me break it down for you this way.
A – Acknowledge. First, we need to admit to Jesus that we are a sinner. We are all sinners, and that sin separates us from God. ...
C – Confess. Second, we need to confess our sins. ...
T – Trust. The third is to trust in Jesus by faith to save us.
If you act, Jesus will become your Lord and Savior. After that, you need to find a church and a pastor to help you grow in this new relationship with Christ. If you find that Church and tell that pastor about your relationship with Christ, they will help you grow in your new walk with Christ.
