The Road to Emmaus

This past week I was reminded of the story from Luke 24 verses 13 - 32. It’s the story of the men on the road to Emmaus when Jesus walked up beside them. You probably remember the story; they are walking along, talking about the death of Christ and the strange reports of “Jesus sightings” throughout Jerusalem. They don’t know what to think when along comes a stranger, who appears to be oblivious to the situation yet enlightened with deep revelation of scripture and prophecy.

It is only as they get him to enjoy dinner with them that their eyes are opened, and they wonder why it took so long to recognize him. “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road?” they wondered.

I have had many “heart burning” experiences in my life, moments where God is so real that my chest seamed set afire by His presence. Not the, “I shouldn’t have eaten that last onion smothered chili dog,” burning sensation. No, this sensation can make you weak in the knees or give you a sense of passion for prayer, intercession or action. It is a fire that drives you to push further in prayer, or strive harder to complete the mission set before you.

By the statements of these two men, it seems evident that they were familiar with this fire. They were familiar with the sensation and knew the fire was always kindled by Christ. It must have amazed them that they could feel the same fire kindled in their hearts as they walked with this stranger.

The fire roaring in their hearts, from the conversations on the way, compelled them to keep the source of this heat near them. It drove them to constrain this stranger to stay with them, and their diligence opened the door to the revelation of Christ. Their obedience to the fire made the way for their eyes to be opened and their lives changed forever.

There are times when we will serve God and live only on a feeling. There are times when we will endure the dry and quiet lands, when God seems a million miles away. But there are the times when God will prompt us with His consuming fire in our hearts.

When you feel the fire, push! When you feel the fire, run! You are on the brink. Your life changing event is just before you!

But if we have never felt the heat, perhaps we should check our path. Perhaps we have never walked close enough to the fire.