Daily Devotional

A Ministry of the Kerwin Baptist Church

July 12, 2018

by Pastor Hawtree

I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:

TO SET MY HEART ON FIRE

LUKE 24:32 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?

Jesus had just risen from the dead. What a miracle! Many of His disciples did not even know yet. Two of the followers of Jesus were traveling on the road to Emmaus from Jerusalem. One was named Cleopas, but we do not know for sure who the other person was. Jesus approached them and began to walk and talk with them, but they did not know it was Jesus. They discussed many things I am sure, but the main thing that was discussed was the Holy Scriptures. I could just imaging that conversation. Just a private session on a lonely road with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They were discussing the subject matter of the Bible and the Author was with them. My vivid imagination can see so many fascinating scenarios from that encounter that day.

Later as they were breaking bread with others, Jesus revealed Himself and they were astonished. As Jesus slipped away, I can see these two individuals looking at each other in surprise and shock. In an attempt to describe or define to each other how powerful this experience was to each of them, they uttered this phrase, “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures”.

Why did their hearts get set on fire? Let me ask another question. What would set our hearts on fire?

Notice the two things given here. First, Their hearts burned when they talked with Jesus by the way. When they spent time with Christ. The presence of God began to set their hearts on fire. It still does that you know. When you feel that your spiritual fire is starting to burn out, it is because you have not been enjoying the presence of God. Second, their hearts burned intensely when Christ ‘opened to them the scriptures ‘. I hope you know that is exactly what you and I have today. We have Jesus to spend time with and enjoys His presence, and the Holy Spirit that lives in our hearts to expound, explain, guide, and open to us the Scriptures. When we have our devotions we enjoy the presence of God and we get to experience the directing guidance of the Spirit. That is what made these men’s hearts burn and that is exactly what will make our hearts burn today. Those two men experienced that day what you and I can experience every day. The presence of Christ, and the opening of the scriptures to us by the Holy Spirit. It is time for us to get burnin!