News has gotten out that Jesus’ body is missing from the tomb! Some say they saw angels who said Jesus is alive…and some say they have seen Him! Is any of this true? All the reports were starting to muddle together.
This was the conversation of two of Jesus’ followers on the road to Emmaus. A “stranger” had joined them as they walked and asked why they looked so sad. These followers were shocked that this stranger hadn’t heard of the events of the last few days. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” (Luke 24:17–18, ESV) What a question, but it opened the door for the stranger, Jesus, to explain to them from the scriptures who He was, which had a unique effect on their hearts. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (Luke 24:32, KJV)
As I was thinking about this event from today’s reading, I was reminded of a verse in Jeremiah, Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord…(Jeremiah 23:29, NLT) Believer, have you ever felt like your heart was getting cold and dull due to discouraging events that all began to muddle together? Perhaps God was starting to feel like a stranger? Did you know there is a way to warm up your heart? The Word of God warms the heart and enlivens the hope; it will enthuse your faith when everything around you is trying to pour on the cold water. Open the Word of God, and though it might feel like a stranger at first, it won’t for long as you find your heart begin to kindle with warmth.
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 24 and John 20-21.