That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him... When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:13-16, 31-35)
The Road to Emmaus is one of those heartwarming stories in the Bible, two followers of Jesus on their way to Emmaus discussing the events of the last week, which culminated with the death of Christ and rumors of His resurrection, being joined by the risen Christ on their trip. Disguising Himself to hide His identity, Jesus explains why it was necessary that the Christ had to die and how His life had fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. After being invited to dine with them, Jesus reveals His true identity and then disappears. In their joy, the two followers race back to Jerusalem to tell the eleven disciples of Jesus that they had encountered the risen Christ.
My favorite verse in this Bible passage is "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" This is passion. Burning passion. The kind of passion that can’t sit still. The kind of passion that results in a mad rush back to Jerusalem to share with the disciples what had happened.
Do we have this same kind of passion? Do our hearts burn when the Word of God is read, when the Gospel is preached? Or have we heard it so many times that our hearts have become dulled to it?
What Jesus Christ did for us is simply beyond comprehension. It’s incredible. Almost unbelievable. Fantastic. God becoming human, living a humble existence as a man and then dying on the cross to take on the punishment for our sins?! What? The Creator of the universe dying for me, for you? Let’s face it, we suck. Why the One who created everything even cares about us is surprising, but undergoing this humiliation and then suffering and dying for us? Why? All we’ve done is fight Him every step of the way.
If the Son of God dying on the cross and trading His perfect righteousness for our miserable filth is not worth getting fired up about, then what is? Do we truly understand what God has done? Do we comprehend just how awful Hell is going to be and how wonderful Heaven will be? A never-ending eternity of suffering for unbelievers versus a never-ending eternity of bliss for believers. Do we believe this? If so, how can we remain silent, how can we let people we love continue down the path that leads to eternal damnation?
Until we face death, until we realize our end is inevitable, we tend to think that our lives will just continue, that there will always be another tomorrow. We think there will always be another opportunity, another chance to do what we should have done. Until there isn’t. Until there’s no more opportunities, no more chances. Until it’s too late.
God loves us so much (why is beyond me) that He sent His Son to us, to die for us, that whoever believes in Him should not perish in Hell but have everlasting life in Heaven (paraphrase of John 3:16). This, the Gospel in a nutshell, is the hope that every Christian banks on, that is the basis of our faith. This is wonderful, wonderful news! Let’s share it while we have the chance.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!