Luke 24:13-35 Selected Verses (NKJV) The Road to Emmaus
13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him………21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel………28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. 29 But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. 30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 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?”
Do you recognize the King of Kings? Does your heart burn within you when you think of Jesus? Is there a fire burning in your soul? Do you share that passion with those you meet? If you do, do you share that knowledge with others. Since you were made in the image and likeness of God, can people see the family resemblance? What do they see when they look at you?
I came to know Jesus in 1998. I was on the road to Basking Ridge when He got in the minivan with me. He spoke to me and it scared me. In fact, I drove 45 minutes past my exit trying to figure out what had just happened. I was a volunteer with a Church Youth Group but had not made a commitment to Christ as of yet. I decided to read the New Testament to see what all the ruckus was about. It is always good to know the opposing side, I thought. I have come to know there is only one side and it is God’s side. The rest doesn’t matter.
Wow! So that’s what all those Prophets were talking about. Holy cow! This Jesus was and is amazing. Could all this be true? I was skeptical but I had to find out. I was a doubter at that point. Now, I know that doubters are seekers and it is good to doubt! Thomas doubted and discovered “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Thomas now believed. After Jesus entered the minivan, so did I believe! Now what? Who could I tell? Would they believe me? It took a month before I told anyone and it was my fellow youth worker that I told. She said what any good Presbyterian would say. She said “I think you should talk to the Pastor.” And I did. That led to my Baptism.
Are you on fire for the Lord? The fire can start slowly and smolder for a long time or it can burst into flames. What would it take to get it to burst into flames within you? Does the Bible speak to you in ways you cannot explain? Does Jesus call out to you? Can you hear Him? Will you answer that call or will you ignore Him? He is coming! He is willing to walk with you on the road to Emmaus or Basking Ridge or anywhere else for that matter. He loves you! Are you ready? Put on your walking shoes and take the journey. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed. Start a fire and fan the flames! Stir up the gift of God which is in you today.
Father thanks that You are sending Your Son to light the fire within us and fan those flames of Your gifts, love and mercy. Walk with us and teach us how we carry Your image within us. Teach us to be bold and use the gifts You give us to build the Kingdom. Teach us to shine Your light for others. Thank you that Your Kingdom is within us here and now. Help us to live lives as children of the King of Kings. In Your name we pray!
Start a Fire by Unspoken tells this story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrEzr-rWwe8