Nov 11 - Luke 24:32

"Were not our hearts burning within us?"

Luke 24:32

I like the term "Master's Class." Whether it's in gardening or painting or at some university, an accomplished master teaches others how to master a subject. 

The greatest Masters Class in history took place along a dusty Judean road three days after the crucifixion. Jesus appeared to two disciples along the road to Emmaus.

Not recognizing Jesus, these two followers lamented the death of the man they'd hope was the Messiah. Reasoning, however, that the Messiah couldn't die before he physically redeemed Israel, their hearts were heavy and their hearts were crushed.

As they walked along, Jesus, however, patiently, lovingly outlined every piece of prophecy that pointed to the Messiah. This was THE moment when everything clicked into place theologically. This was THE Master's Class from THE true master himself.

For a world expecting a earthly king, Isaiah 53 had to be at the heart of Jesus' teaching. Seven hundred years before his death, Isaiah talked in astounding detail about the particulars of the crucifixion. And Jesus surely showed how the Messiah was a heavenly king whose earthly role was to be a suffering servant. 

The Master's Class culminated at table. Jesus took bread, blessed, and broke it. Suddenly their eyes opened. They recognized the Suffering Servant. They comprehended the Risen Lord.

Don't wind up kicking yourself for missing your Walk to Emmaus moment. When their eyes were opened, they said, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" When has your heart burned within you?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who once designed a t-shirt on this verse

(It looked like an advertisement for "Third Day Salsa."

The catch phrase was, "Were not our hearts burning within us?")