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?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (Luke 24:32–35 (ESV)
All four Gospels parallel each other concerning the events on Resurrection Sunday. The Holy Spirit specifically inspired one of two of the writers to provide particular information not found in the other Gospels. While each writer provides selective, insightful information, they do not contradict each other in telling the wonderful news that Jesus Christ is alive. Such is the case with today’s text from Luke regarding Jesus’ appearance to the so-called Emmaus Disciples.
Significant was Jesus’ disclosure and disappearance from the Emmaus Disciples (Luke 24:30-31). Equally significant was their response in the time they spent with the Lord on the road. “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
The word hearts (καρδία; kardia) refers to an individual’s mind, emotions and will. In other words, it signifies the soul of humankind. The word burn (καίω; kaio) in the literary context is a present passive participle meaning a sense of fervent and intense faith and joy.
“Their exclamation is understandable. They reflect on the manner in which their hearts had been warmed, their spirits illumined, their hope revived when the man who was now no longer a stranger had explained to them that which before they had never understood. Also, now they know that the women had been right after all. Far from talking nonsense, they had spoken the truth. And how kind, how absolutely wonderful was it that the Christ had singled them out for receiving the privilege of having the Scriptures opened to them, so that they now understood as they had never understood before,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
This experience was a direct result of the words Jesus spoke to them from the Old Testament Scriptures. It was as if every word Jesus spoke resonated within both of the disciples’ minds, emotions and will. They had a divine encounter with the One, True God. Jesus preached the Word of God to them (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Our response as believers in Christ should be the same when our pastor preaches the Word of God. It is the same truth and the same revelation, which should elicit in us the same burning faith and joy.
Luke then recorded the ensuing events when the Emmaus Disciples left their village and returned to Jerusalem. “33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
The great news was spreading like a wildfire in a dry cornfield. Jesus was alive!
“So filled are these two men with joy that they must needs tell others. Have they already walked seven miles? Then seven more miles. Was it dark and dangerous? All of that means nothing now. This news is so electrifying and reassuring that the other disciples must know about it. Not tomorrow but tonight,” states Dr. Hendriksen.
“Note the drama of the situation. We picture it as follows: The two men, having completed their seven-mile trip—was it about 9 o’clock by now?—arrive at the door of the room in which The Eleven (and probably others with them) are gathered. When the door opens, they are ready to shout the news. But before they even get a chance they hear the blessed tiding, “The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon.” Cf. 1 Cor. 15:5. Finally, they too get a chance to tell their story. What an asking and answering of questions! What ecstasy! What a foretaste of “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
“A new beginning! Light in the darkness! Life conquering death! The Lord is risen indeed! Here all changes. The Cross, the very instrument of despair, becomes an object of glory. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the source of a living hope. Listen to the message of exuberant joy, praise, and thanksgiving,” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.
Meditate today upon these words from Peter. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 