Got Heartburn?

Luke 24: 32~
"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?""


Imagine. Jerusalem. Bible times. About 33 AD. In fact, it's been three days since Jesus died.


Notice 'died'? The verb is past tense. It's the third day. Jesus lives!


The disciples are rejoicing. The stone rolled away, the tomb, empty, Jesus here, His hands pierced so they know they're not dreaming. The disciples are probably celebrating so loudly, you can hear them a block away. Unfortunately, Cleopas is a little more than a block away. Technically, seven miles. He's traveling on the road to Emmaus with his companion, talking about Jesus and the crucifixtion. He is clueless about everything that happened in the last couple hours.


That's when Jesus comes in.


Here He comes. See Him? Right there, just a dot on the horizon. But getting steadily closer. You can hardly recognize Him. Cleopas doesn't, that's for sure.


This Stranger begins to talk. "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?"


Cleopas gapes. “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”


"What things?"


Impossible, thinks Cleopas. To not know such things... “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these 
things happened."


The Stranger nods, taking in Cleopas's every word. So 'Cleo' continues.


"Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”


Suddenly, the anonymous Stranger shakes His head, dark hair waving in the wind. “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?”


Cleo's not too happy about being labeled foolish, but he hadn't considered that point before. Jesus, the King of All Kings and Creator of the Universe, had to die to be glorified?


The three amble along down the road, exchanging tales. The Stranger begins talking of Moses and the Prophets, and continues with Scriptures concerning Jesus.


Oh, here comes that one fork in the road. The Stranger, He's taking the other path? Cleopas urges Him to come with us, begging Him not to leave.


So He stays and eats. Well, sort of. He breaks the bread and leaves. Suddenly, something clicked. It all made sense. That man, He was Jesus! Shocked, Cleopas stands motionless and speechless. Finally, he manages to speak."Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" 


End scene.


Now, if you've accepted salvation, you have the Holy Spirit in you. When you read the Bible, He reveals things to you. And your heart burns. If it's not burning, something's not right.


You know what Luke 12:49 says? “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled."


You know who said that? Jesus.


How about you? Got heartburn?
KatieQue