Today's Treasure:  "They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32)

The plague of the unbelieving heart began to spread through Jerusalem when Jesus of Nazareth was betrayed into the hands of sinful men and crucified.  The plague found fearful and discouraged followers of Jesus Christ to be willing carriers.  It infected their hearts and minds with doubt in the One who had held their hopes for salvation and deliverance. 

On the day of His resurrection, the Savior appeared to two of His dejected followers on the road to Emmaus, their mouths traveling faster than their feet.  Luke 24:15-16 tells us that Jesus kept them from recognizing Him.  Christ asked what they were discussing.  With downcast faces they answered Him.  Freeze the frame for a moment.  Trade places with Cleopas and paste his expression on your face.  Can you imagine how ridiculous we look with hopeless, downcast faces while the immortal Son of God stands right beside us? 

Note that the events surrounding Christ's crucifixion were so well publicized that Cleopas implied Christ would have to be a visitor to be unaware of the recent happenings?  He then proceeded to tell Christ about Himself.  Wouldn't you hope you got the facts straight?                   

If I were grading Cleopas's oral report, I wouldn't have subtracted points until the "kicker" in Luke 24:21: "But we had hoped that he was the one."  The unbelieving heart was in full gear.  Picture the downcast face, the sagging posture.  Listen to the tone in his voice.  For a clue, see Christ's indignant response in Luke 24:25: "He said to them, 'How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets had spoken!' " 

Christ clearly showed His displeasure over the men's disbelief.  He rebuked them but followed the rebuke with some of the most amazing moments in Scripture: "Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself" (v.27).  What I would give to hear that comprehensive dissertation!  No wonder the men hated to part with Jesus!  "Jesus acted as if he were going farther.  But they urged Him strongly, 'Stay with us' " (vv.28-29).

Don't you love the part in a movie when the surprise is revealed?  We have now arrived at that climactic moment.  Allow me to set the stage for you.  The men invited Jesus into their homes.  A simple meal was prepared.  They reclined at the table.  Christ took the role as server.  He broke the bread and called down divine favor through a benediction.  He handed each of them a portion of the small loaf.  As if the veil of the Holy of Holies was torn again before their very eyes, they recognized Him!  Then He disappeared.  Can you imagine their expressions?  I have a feeling "downcast" wouldn't be an adequate description.

I relish few things more than witnessing someone's fresh reaction to Jesus Christ.  How blessed we are that God chose to tell us what the men said after they picked up their chins off the floor.  "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32).  First, did you notice that spiritual heartburn is scriptural?  You bet it is!  "Did not our heart burn?" (KJV)

The word burn means exactly what you think it does: "to make to burn,...flaming...to consume with fire."  Beloved, if you have ever paid attention to anything I've ever written about the key to a passionate relationship with Christ, pay attention now.  Your heart means far more to Christ than anything.  That your heart is utterly taken with Christ is more important than any amount of service you could render or rules you could keep.  If Christ has your heart, He will have your obedience (John 14:21).  God wants to completely captivate your heart and cause it to burn with passion for Him.  It is His absolute priority for you according to Mark 12:30; joy and satisfaction will elude you in its absence.  Two immutable keys exist that turn our spiritual ignition and inflame godly passion.  Both are tucked like rubies in the embers of Luke 24:32.  "Were not our hearts burning within us while he [1] talked with us on the road and [2] opened the Scriptures to us?"

To me, "talked with us on the road" is a wonderfully personal and tender representation of prayer and "opened the Scriptures to us" is a perfect representation of Bible study.  Beloved, we may do many other things to fan the flame of our spiritual passion for Christ, but all other efforts are in vain without the two sticks of prayer and Bible study rubbed together to ignite a fire.

Some may say, "But I've said prayers before and attended Sunday school many times, and my heart didn't burn."  I'm not referring to popcorn prayers and drive-thru lessons.  I'm talking about entering into a love affair of prayer with Jesus Christ, where you talk to Him throughout the day recognizing that He, the unseen One, is a far greater reality than those within your vision.  I'm talking about opening up the Word, throwing back your head, face toward heaven, and saying, "Thrill me with Your Word!" (see Ps. 119:18).  Evolving into this kind of intimacy with God takes time, but the road trip is half the excitement!

Don't confuse a passionate relationship with God with an unrealistic state of perpetual chill bumps.  I'm talking about the meshing of two lives, yours and Christ's, increasingly engulfing and igniting the whole of heart, soul, mind, and strength.  God is more than eager to give you a heart full of fire for His Son.  Tell Him you want it more than blessing or your daily bread.  Beloved, promise me you will not settle for mediocrity!  When Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith, takes the wheel, you won't lack excitement, amusement, or a seat with a view.  He has nothing less in mind for you than a great adventure.  A wild ride awaits you.  All aboard?

Father, thank You for desiring my heart and my faith above any other thing I could give You.  I have failed so many times at so many things, and I praise You because You ask not for a performance, but a relationship.  Ignite my heart, through things like prayer and Bible study, and let it burn for You.  Amen.

Adapted from Jesus the One and Only, by Beth Moore, pages 324-329.  Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2002.  Used by permission.