“Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him [Jesus]. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”” (Luke 24:31–32, NLT)
There used to be a saying among people that when away from each other, one would “keep the home fires burning”. It is a very old saying that spoke to the warmth that a fire at home would bring not only to the body but to the soul.
In centuries old, people used to live in homes with a fire burning most of the day if not all day long. From fall until spring, but especially in the winter, people in colder climates would keep a fire alive in a fireplace or fire pit. Even today, there are homes only heated by wood burners or fireplaces. When the temperature drops, you will find the fires burning to keep the home warm and bright and cheery. There are few things in life like coming home from working outside all day to a warm and inviting fire in the fireplace.
The scripture for today does not speak of a literal fire that may keep the body warm. Instead, it speaks of the kind of fire that can keep a heart and soul burning with warmth and light. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, some people were blessed with a visit from our Lord and Savior. Luke 24 contains a story of two men traveling toward Emmaus. As they walked, they saw a man along the way and began to walk with him. As they did, the two men discussed the events in Jerusalem, including information about Jesus. What the two men did not realize yet was that it was the resurrected Jesus who was walking with them.
After walking for some time, Jesus finally spoke up, saying, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” (Luke 24:25–26, NLT). Then, Jesus talked more about the scriptures as they related to all these events. Not long after, the three men broke bread together. At that moment, the men came to their senses and recognized that it was Jesus who had been walking with them the whole time! At that very moment, the men said to one another what is recorded in our scripture for today… “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked on the road and explained the scriptures to us?” Didn’t our hearts burn?!!!!!
Just as home fires can be nice and cozy and warm the body, these two men experienced the warmth of the gospel burning in their hearts. As Jesus explained the scriptures to them, their faith began to burn brighter in heart and soul and mind. Have you ever felt the gospel bring a warm feeling to your heart and soul? Have you ever felt spiritually warmed as you listened to a sermon, heard the witness of a person who felt God, or felt God’s presence in a prayer? Didn’t it stoke the fires of faith in your soul?
I was a counselor at a denominational summer camping program for a number of years. Most often, the camps I helped lead were made up of youth who were in their teens. In the first few days of the camp, some of the teens were wary of sharing. Being surrounded by strangers, many of the campers refrained from talking. Most were too insecure to pray out loud. During the week, the campers learned to trust one another. They would begin to open up and share. It was a safe place to share the gospel and show love to one another.
One of the highlights of those summer camps was the bonfire. After sunset one evening, all the counselors and campers would gather around a fire. There, lying on blankets under the stars, with the crackling of the warming fire, people often opened up and shared their joys and sorrows. The bonfire helped many to not only warm up their body in the coolness of the night but also gave a wonderful occasion to share memories and revelations and love and thanks. As the body was warmed by the bonfire, the souls there were warmed by the love of God made present in that time and place.
Every soul needs to experience the warmth of God’s love. The understanding that Jesus died on the cross to save your soul should bring a warm joy to your heart. The two men on the road to Emmaus were warmed by Jesus’ presence and the retelling of the gospel. That same warmth can be experienced when you are visited by the Holy Spirit, touched by a revelation of scripture, amazed by the love of someone who helped you, or prayed over by someone who cares deeply about you. In so many ways, God’s presence and Spirit will desire to warm your heart and soul, especially when the world can be so cold, and people cruel.
Oswald Chambers once wrote: “We need to learn this secret of the burning heart. Suddenly Jesus appears to us, the fires are kindled, we have wonderful visions; then we have to learn to keep the secret of the burning heart that will go through anything. It is the dull, bald, dreary, commonplace day, with commonplace duties and people, that kills the burning heart unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus.” (My Utmost for His Highest). Chambers knew that life can be cruel. Routines can cause the soul to slowly cool. Cold stares can freeze a friendship. Harsh words can cool the love between husband and wife. Negativity can quickly quench the fires of faith. It is crucial that you open your soul up to Jesus. Let the scriptures stoke the fires of your faith. Let the love of God warm your heart and soul and mind. Your love of God will not only warm the heart of another, but it will also kindle the fires of faith in our cold, unforgiving world.
In centuries old, people used to live in homes with a fire burning most of the day if not all day long. From fall until spring, but especially in the winter, people in colder climates would keep a fire alive in a fireplace or fire pit. Even today, there are homes only heated by wood burners or fireplaces. When the temperature drops, you will find the fires burning to keep the home warm and bright and cheery. There are few things in life like coming home from working outside all day to a warm and inviting fire in the fireplace.
The scripture for today does not speak of a literal fire that may keep the body warm. Instead, it speaks of the kind of fire that can keep a heart and soul burning with warmth and light. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, some people were blessed with a visit from our Lord and Savior. Luke 24 contains a story of two men traveling toward Emmaus. As they walked, they saw a man along the way and began to walk with him. As they did, the two men discussed the events in Jerusalem, including information about Jesus. What the two men did not realize yet was that it was the resurrected Jesus who was walking with them.
After walking for some time, Jesus finally spoke up, saying, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” (Luke 24:25–26, NLT). Then, Jesus talked more about the scriptures as they related to all these events. Not long after, the three men broke bread together. At that moment, the men came to their senses and recognized that it was Jesus who had been walking with them the whole time! At that very moment, the men said to one another what is recorded in our scripture for today… “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked on the road and explained the scriptures to us?” Didn’t our hearts burn?!!!!!
Just as home fires can be nice and cozy and warm the body, these two men experienced the warmth of the gospel burning in their hearts. As Jesus explained the scriptures to them, their faith began to burn brighter in heart and soul and mind. Have you ever felt the gospel bring a warm feeling to your heart and soul? Have you ever felt spiritually warmed as you listened to a sermon, heard the witness of a person who felt God, or felt God’s presence in a prayer? Didn’t it stoke the fires of faith in your soul?
I was a counselor at a denominational summer camping program for a number of years. Most often, the camps I helped lead were made up of youth who were in their teens. In the first few days of the camp, some of the teens were wary of sharing. Being surrounded by strangers, many of the campers refrained from talking. Most were too insecure to pray out loud. During the week, the campers learned to trust one another. They would begin to open up and share. It was a safe place to share the gospel and show love to one another.
One of the highlights of those summer camps was the bonfire. After sunset one evening, all the counselors and campers would gather around a fire. There, lying on blankets under the stars, with the crackling of the warming fire, people often opened up and shared their joys and sorrows. The bonfire helped many to not only warm up their body in the coolness of the night but also gave a wonderful occasion to share memories and revelations and love and thanks. As the body was warmed by the bonfire, the souls there were warmed by the love of God made present in that time and place.
Every soul needs to experience the warmth of God’s love. The understanding that Jesus died on the cross to save your soul should bring a warm joy to your heart. The two men on the road to Emmaus were warmed by Jesus’ presence and the retelling of the gospel. That same warmth can be experienced when you are visited by the Holy Spirit, touched by a revelation of scripture, amazed by the love of someone who helped you, or prayed over by someone who cares deeply about you. In so many ways, God’s presence and Spirit will desire to warm your heart and soul, especially when the world can be so cold, and people cruel.
Oswald Chambers once wrote: “We need to learn this secret of the burning heart. Suddenly Jesus appears to us, the fires are kindled, we have wonderful visions; then we have to learn to keep the secret of the burning heart that will go through anything. It is the dull, bald, dreary, commonplace day, with commonplace duties and people, that kills the burning heart unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus.” (My Utmost for His Highest). Chambers knew that life can be cruel. Routines can cause the soul to slowly cool. Cold stares can freeze a friendship. Harsh words can cool the love between husband and wife. Negativity can quickly quench the fires of faith. It is crucial that you open your soul up to Jesus. Let the scriptures stoke the fires of your faith. Let the love of God warm your heart and soul and mind. Your love of God will not only warm the heart of another, but it will also kindle the fires of faith in our cold, unforgiving world.