“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”
As the two companions journeyed to Emmaus, the Risen Christ drew near and began to walk with them. Although their eyes were restrained from recognizing Him, He then opened the Scriptures to them, explaining how all that had happened was necessary and had been foretold. Still, their hearts did not grasp His identity—yet something was stirring deep within. It was not until He broke the bread that their eyes were opened. In that sacred moment, they knew it was Jesus. And just as suddenly as they recognized Him, He vanished from their sight. But what remained was unforgettable: the warmth in their hearts, the clarity of the Scriptures, and the conviction of His resurrection.
This passage serves as a vivid reminder that true faith is rooted not in mere feelings or fleeting experiences, but in the enduring truth of God’s Word. The Emmaus disciples came to recognize Jesus not first by sight, but through the Word, and then, through the breaking of bread, their experience was confirmed.
1. Build Your Faith on the Word of God The risen Christ chose to reveal Himself through the Scriptures before revealing Himself physically. This reminds us that our faith must be grounded in God’s Word. Emotional experiences, no matter how powerful, must be tested by truth. God’s Word remains the unshakable foundation for belief.
2. Extend Hospitality to God’s Presence
The disciples insisted that Jesus stay with them. In doing so, they unknowingly welcomed the very presence of God into their home. When we invite Christ to dwell with us, through prayer, worship, and time in His Word, He reveals Himself more intimately.
3. Let Your Heart Be Warmed and Your Feet Be Swift
Once they recognized Him, they could not keep the news to themselves. Despite the late hour, they returned immediately to Jerusalem to testify. One encounter with Jesus ignites a fire that compels us to move, to share, and to proclaim: “He is risen indeed!”
A Fitting Word for the Moment
Beloved, the Risen Christ still walks with us on our journey, even when we fail to recognize Him. He speaks through His Word and reveals Himself in ways both subtle and profound. Don’t settle for cold religion or shallow emotion. Draw near to Him. Let His Word ignite your heart. Invite Him in. Open the Scriptures daily. Break bread in communion with Him. And when your heart is strangely warmed, rise up and run with the message: Jesus is alive!
Daily Meditation
Monday – Malachi 4:2
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.
Tuesday – Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?
Wednesday – Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Thursday – James 1:23
“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror….”
Friday – Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Saturday – 1 Peter 2:1-2
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
Sunday – Psalm 19:7-11
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them, your servant is warned; In keeping them, there is great reward.
All scriptures are quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB1995).
By Pastor Clarence Goh
