Preschool
He is risen, as he said. Matthew 28:6
A Burning Heart
Memory Verses
Primary
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Matthew 28:6
Junior
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6
Background Scripture: Luke 24
Lesson Scripture: Luke 24:13-26, 30-32
Introduction
Every believer with a personal relationship with the Savior experiences times in his Christian life that his heart burns within his bosom. These times when the Lord draws especially close and our hearts are aglow with his nearness are a gift from God. Being set aflame with his presence and having an overflowing cup means we desire Him above all else. When our hearts are filled with heavenly fire, we seek to share this blessing with others. In whatever circumstances we find ourselves this Easter season, may it bring us joy “just to think, just to feel, just to know, that this Savior is mine”! 1
Key Verse
But his word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay (Jer. 20:9).
Lesson Scripture
Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
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?
Studying the Lesson
It is not difficult to picture the scene as two disciples, with slow and weary footsteps, walk the seven-mile journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were, no doubt, overwrought mentally and physically from the trying events of the last few days. The cherished anticipation that they would soon be free from Roman rule was crushed. The hope they had placed in Jesus had died with Him on the cross. Nowhere in their discussion was there a glimmer of joy or hope. They were so wrapped in sorrow that they scarcely noticed the lone Traveler walking near to them on this deserted road.
Jesus, as He always does, sensed the burden of the heart of these fellow travelers. Everything about them spoke of hopelessness and despair. With compassion and understanding He drew near and asked what they were talking about, inviting them to unburden their hearts. He asked knowing questions until they told Him everything. What a relief it must have been to share the inner contents of their hearts with One who seemed to understand so well. Now they became silent as this unknown and yet so gracious Stranger began to explain to them Scriptures they had known well but failed to fully understand. Now, however, their hearts burned within them as Jesus clearly opened the Scriptures to them.
The time flew by as they shared in animated tones the things that were dear to their hearts. Upon reaching their destination, the two disciples turned to enter the village. When Jesus made as though He would continue his journey, his companions begged Him to stay with them for the night. Jesus knew the longing of their hearts, and He went with them to their place of lodging. Their evening meal was soon served with Jesus giving a blessing for it. Only then were their eyes opened, and what a vision they beheld. Not just Jesus the Healer, the One who fed the multitudes, and the one who raised the dead, but the resurrected Lord, their Redeemer! They saw Him as the fulfillment of prophecy, their Savior and King.
It is little wonder that their hearts burned within them. They were filled with so many emotions: praise, unbounded love, humility, and a deep sense of unworthiness to know and be visited by such a wonderful Being.
This wonderful message could not be contained. They could not wait to share the good news with others. They hurriedly returned to Jerusalem to tell others about the exciting events of their day.
Practical Truths for Today
Jesus accompanies us through our mortal existence. He is near us from birth until our dying hour. However, God does not impose Himself upon us. Only by our invitation and through faith in Him does He become an intimate, abiding Presence. How it brightens our heart when we know Christ as our personal Savior! This experience, though hard to explain with words, is very real. The human heart, having been touched by the Lord, enjoys a blessing unparalleled by any other.
Like the disciples on the Emmaus road, Jesus longs to join us in times of quiet reflection. The environment of the world is noisy, both physically and spiritually. Temptations knock, harshly beating at the door of our heart. The constant effort needed to raise a family and the continual demands placed on us to provide a living can make life become a blur of responsibility and busyness. As we do as Jesus said—“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33)—God will provide a time each day to connect with Him and to reflect on things of eternal value. This time with our Savior requires effort and self-sacrifice, but it is an investment made for eternity. Young Christians as well find spiritual strength as they do as the song says: “Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord.” 2 Personal communion with God is priceless.
A fire does not continue to burn with the same intensity indefinitely but will need to be rekindled. Christians may notice their love cooling and their spiritual fervor dampening. To restore the spontaneous warmth and nearness to God that we previously enjoyed takes prayer and concentration. To have the warmth of the Holy Spirit renewed, we must again surrender our will to God. Humility is key to connecting with God.
May the many different circumstances in life cause us to reach out to God. Each of us is familiar with our own struggles, our besetting sin, and the things that make it difficult to completely trust in God. As we bring these things to our heavenly Father, it pleases Him to answer our prayers and to warm our hearts with inspiration and direction. When we notice tears are shed during a gospel service, we know that God has drawn near, inspiring the heart of a fellow worshipper. Our hearts glow when, by holding to God’s hand, we emerge victorious from the valley of temptation. It is an experience known only to believers when, by fervent prayer, a victory is won where defeat seemed certain. A clearer vision of God often comes through tear-filled eyes.
When sickness or death strikes its cruel blow, we experience the love of God’s people. Their prayers and support, upholding us in life’s darkest hours, fill our hearts with God’s goodness. The fellowship we enjoy as God’s children often causes our hearts to burn. Sometimes we experience this in our home congregation, sometimes in a faraway land among fellow believers, or it may be in a chance meeting with a brother or sister. We find that we are one in heart, sharing a mutual love for the Lord. This bond is an earthly foretaste of what it will be like to spend eternity with our risen Lord and the saved of the ages.
Questions
- How often should I feel a special closeness with God? Should I seek for it or wait until God draws near?
- Share a time when you experienced a burning heart.
- Is there danger in reliving past touches from the Lord and thereby lose the importance of a current daily relationship with Him?
- 1 William J. Gaither (1936-), “I’ve Been to Calvary,” Special Sacred Selections
- 2 William D. Longstaff (1822-1894), “Take Time to Be Holy,” Christian Hymnal
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).