The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were having a very difficult day. They were part of “the group,” the followers of Jesus, and they were coming from Jerusalem after the crucifixion. It was terrible. Now, three days later, there were rumors that his body was gone. Some of the women from their group and some of the apostles had gone out to look, and it was true. What does this all mean?
Cleopas and another disciple met Jesus on the road to Emmaus, they had a long discussion and…”It came to pass, as Jesus sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then THEIR EYES WERE OPENED and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart BURN WITHIN US while He talked with us on the road, and while He OPENED THE SCRIPTURES TO US?” (Luke 24:30-32)
Our lives are busy, complicated and messy. We often ignore Jesus’ presence in our lives, even though he is always with us, loving each one of us in deeply personal way. How did we miss seeing him? How did we not recognize him? When we get caught up in our own pain, guilt and anger, we miss seeing him walking next to us. We know deep in our hearts how flawed we are. We might feel that we are simply unworthy of the kind of endless love Jesus offers. Dear Lord, let our eyes be opened as we listen to and read your word! Let our hearts burn within us AS YOU OPEN THE SCRIPTURES TO US!!!
TEACH US LORD TO ALLOW OUR HEARTS TO BURN WITHIN US…
-Bill Stockham