Key Text: Luke 24 (13 – 36); Psalm 119: 105; Psalm 19: 7
Additional Texts: 1 Peter 1: 22 – 25; Hebrews 4: 12; Romans 1: 10; John 15: 3, 5, 11; 2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17; Romans 10: 17; Acts 1: 8; John 1: 1 – 5; Jeremiah 15: 16; Matthew 24: 35
The ‘Show and Tell’ series has been an exploration of lessons from Jesus’ life on earth – His actions and words demonstrate God’s heart and advise us on how to steward life and relationships, ultimately honouring Him. In this article, His conversation and actions teach us some of these essentials.
The Cambridge dictionary defines the word heartburn as a painful, burning feeling in the lower chest caused by indigestion. We typically aim to avoid this experience, which is sometimes triggered by certain foods, and possibly seek to reduce or eliminate it through the intake of counteractive foods or medication. No one likes heartburns! In our Key Text, contrastingly soothing heartburn is presented, as Jesus interacts with the disciples who were on the road to Emmaus.
Imagine being encouraged, challenged, developed, comforted and developed by a leader to whom you had a strong attachment based on trust, who had an unfair trial and was murdered as a criminal (or in this case – sacrificed!). You would perhaps feel discouraged! When Jesus met the disciples who were on the road to Emmaus, their consuming grief prevented them from fully understanding and believing that they were witnesses of the fulfilment of prophecies about His death, burial and resurrection.
The two disciples who Jesus met in Luke 24 had heard about His resurrection but were still clearly puzzled by it. Their hopes of having a Redeemer who would have met their expectations of being a political deliver were dashed – they failed at the time to grasp that His deliverance was in the form of salvation. Though they had the privilege of talking to Him, they were kept from recognising Jesus. Indeed, they were walking away from Jerusalem where He had ministered, was crucified and buried, and were on their way to Emmaus, seven miles away in the opposite direction! In Jerusalem, there would have been more followers of Jesus – a community of support for them during this time. These disciples’ choice to walk away from the place which reminded them of Jesus may have been a reflection of their disappointment and (temporary) unbelief in His identity, and mirrors our potential to feel like quitting when walking with Jesus is highly challenging and we can’t see evidence of His presence or support in our circumstances.
Despite this, Jesus’ conversation with them indicates His patience, as He took the time to explain the prophecies about Him again and opened their eyes to fully understand the Scriptures. Their time with Him was so enriching that they invited Him to stay for the night – they wanted more time with Him. It was during this time with Him that their eyes were further opened, resulting in their recognition of Him when He broke the bread. After Jesus departed from them, they agreed that their hearts were burning as He spoke to them – the reason why they wanted more time with Him. They did not have medical heartburns, but rather experienced the soothing, yet transformational nature of God’s voice amidst the chaos of the week they had faced. The Life Application Bible states that the two said their hearts were ‘strangely warm’ as He spoke. Though Jesus was not pleased about them still doubting after several prophecies, He still had a gentle demeanor and met them where they were to deepen their relationship with them. The intimate time with Him allowed them to grow in their revelation of Him, and spurred them to return to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples.
The two disciples acknowledge a reality that I have experienced, which also informed the writing of Blots, Flaws and Revelations and every article on this blog. For years after accepting Jesus, I did not understand (or care enough!) about how to study the Word and learn deep truths from the Holy Spirit without an intermediary (usually a preacher!). One experience helped me to realise how this was possible and my life has been significantly altered since. Similar to the two disciples in the Key Text, spending time with Jesus has also ‘burned’ or ‘warmed’ my heart, whether through encouragement, understanding a bit more about God’s character or even a challenge to grow. I have found that time invested in learning what the Scriptures mean may produce feelings ranging from comfort to tension (depending on the contents). When I need encouragement, He is there – a heart burner. When I need reassurance that He’s in control in a world with increasing levels of concerns, He’s there – a heart burner. When I keep hearing the same Word, confirming an instruction which may be daunting and even frightening, He’s there – a heart burner. I am living proof that time with Jesus through the Word can burn one’s heart to change, face fears and be guided – a soothing heartburner! I have walked through seasons in which the Word provided counsel, wisdom and support, beyond what anyone could have offered. When we face difficult seasons, our loved ones may sincerely want to help, and their support makes a huge difference, but their abilities are limited in contrast to God/Jesus through the Word which renews, gives hope, instructs, corrects and comforts us.
John 1 explains that God/Jesus is the Word; when the Word (Jesus) spoke to the two disciples in Luke 24 and burned/stirred/encouraged their hearts, He reinforced the transformational nature of the Word. Read the Additional Texts for more details about how it outlasts circumstances and eras (is eternal), instructional, teaches love, redeems, cleanses, grants us access to God in prayer, corrects/disciplines, brings joy, leads to faith, gives light, guides and empowers. The Word is a soothing, life/changing heartburner, giving grace, support and instructions to the hearer.
If like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, your circumstances, shock about suffering, anxiety, disappointment and fear overwhelm you and prevent you from seeing that God is with you (I’ve been there too!), keep seeking Him. Though we are aware that like them, it is easy for us to miss God when times are challenging, we are also cognisant of the transformation they experienced when they spent time with the Word during their grief. They became witnesses of His resurrection when time with Him soothingly burned their hearts and opened their eyes through revelations of Him. Within an hour of Jesus revealing Himself, they were moved to return to Jerusalem where they and other witnesses encouraged each other, leading to ultimately encouraging people like us today – no one could cause them to denounce their faith which was stabilised after that encounter with Him.
If you desire time with God/Jesus to know His thoughts, promises, character and plans for you, seek Him and make time for Him; avoid consistently rushing out of His presence so you are actually able to hear what He says. Life in the twenty-first century often demands much of our time, filling our schedules with busyness, but as I paused years ago to learn to listen as I sought God, you may do the same. If you are concerned about or interested in a particular theme or topic, use your Bible’s concordance to lead you to relevant Scriptures, or try an internet search for related Bible passages. It covers every issue either explicitly or implicitly through its principles. Take time to study and mediate on them, pray with references to them, and you will eventually experience soothing heartburns too. You may also be on the verge of heartwarming revelations which will encourage you and others. Additionally, your usual devotionals are a daily guide, and will sometimes (divinely!) overlap with the texts you read in other moments when you study the Word.
Again, sometimes when we are too busy, worried or overwhelmed, we do exactly what the disciples in the Key Text did – we turn away from our Source. Instead, try being quiet before Him and truly listen as they did (before they even realised it was Jesus): the Word (in any form – written, sung or spoken) will soothe your heart. When the worries return (or indeed before they do!), seek Him again and listen, then repeat! Memorise Scriptures that you may need during that season or in the future. Fellow pilgrims, if you are disappointed about what God is (or isn’t!) doing in your life like the disciples in the Key Text, the noise around you may cause you to miss what Jesus/God wants to say; they only heard Him when they got away from the crowds (with all their fears, opinions and speculation), and quietened their anxious hearts to listen. If you desire to experience Him on a deeper level, get away from the noise, seek Him and listen. Perhaps try talking to Him for a few moments, a minute or five to begin today – He hears.
Heartfelt Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the opportunity to learn from You through Your Word. When there is tension, grief, concern about the future and anxiety, please help to remember Your Word, and delve deeper to grow in You and be encouraged. I ask these mercies in Your Son’s – Jesus’ name. Amen.
