Did Not Our Hearts Burn Within Us?

It is one of the most stirring episodes in the Bible. In the hours following the resurrection, a couple of disciples were walking along a road outside of Jerusalem. They were still reeling from the crucifixion. A stranger came alongside them as they were on the way and struck up a conversation. For his own reasons, God kept them from recognizing that the stranger was Jesus. When he finally did reveal his identity to them, while they were sharing in a meal, he immediately disappeared. And then they asked themselves the rhetorical question, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road?” Of course they did. The risen Christ was talking to them and walking with them.

My emotions well up whenever I read that account in Luke 24:13-35. Maybe what’s so special about it is that I imagine it was me. I think about how awesome it would be to have that happen. To stroll along with Jesus, hear him tell me things, feel that what I’m hearing is other-worldly, but not know why and not know it is Jesus until after he’s gone. That would warrant the biggest face-palm of all time. DOH! How could we have missed that?!

In fact, the account points us to the reality of how we ought to be living our lives as believers and the certainty that we should have about Jesus walking with us and speaking to us on our journey. It is awesome to think about! We should be certain of who he is, what he has done and what he has taught us. We should have that certainty because of his presence, what we know about his mission to redeemed us, what we read in the Word of God, what we see of his power and his work in the lives of people around us. There’s no doubt that he’s right there with us every step of the way.

Sermon Notes

The Gospel of Luke | Pt. 6
Did Not Our Hearts Burn Within Us?
Pastor Todd Dugard // Luke 24:13–35
April 28, 2019

I have certainty about Jesus because...

• I know his presence (v. 13–16)

• I remember his mission (v. 17–24)

• I hear his Word (v. 25–27)

• I experience his power (v. 28–32)

• I see his work (v. 33–35)