Hearts Burning Within Us
Month 4: Is Jesus Really God? · Heart Matters
Today's Scripture
Read together: Luke 24:13-32
13 That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?” 19 “What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet, powerful in speech and action before God and all the people. 20 Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place. 22 Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had described. But Him they did not see.” 25 Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself. 28 As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther. 29 But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30 While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Memory Verse
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”— 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Leviticus 25-27
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 115 of 365 — the Year of Jubilee, a picture of freedom and release.)The Heart of It
On the very first Easter afternoon, two heartbroken friends were trudging home to a town called Emmaus. They had hoped Jesus was the One who would save Israel. And now He was dead. As they walked and grieved, a stranger joined them and asked why they were so sad. It was Jesus Himself! But God kept them from recognizing Him at first. Jesus didn't reveal Himself right away. Instead, He walked them through the Scriptures. He began "at Moses and all the Prophets," showing how everything pointed to the Messiah who had to suffer and then rise (). Their hearts began to warm, though they didn't yet know why.
Then, at supper, Jesus took bread and broke it. Suddenly their eyes were opened. It was Him! And in that moment He vanished. They turned to each other and said, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us... and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" (). Here is something for your own heart. Faith isn't only about facts in your head. It's also a fire in your heart. When Jesus is real to us, the truth doesn't stay cold and distant. It burns warm with love and wonder. We need both. We need strong reasons to believe. And we need a heart that loves the One we believe in.
Around the Table
Two sad friends were walking home, and Jesus came alongside them. But they didn't know it was Him until supper!
Let's do it: Put your hand on your chest and feel your heartbeat. Say, "Jesus, make my heart glad about You!"
Jesus showed the friends that the whole Old Testament was pointing to Him all along. Then their sadness turned to joy.
Let's talk: When does learning about Jesus make your heart feel warm or excited inside?
These friends had the facts about Jesus' death, but they had lost hope. Then Jesus connected those facts to God's bigger plan. And their hearts caught fire.
Let's go deeper: Why do we need both good reasons to believe and a heart that loves Jesus? What happens if we have one without the other?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's something you love so much that just talking about it makes you light up?— Jesus made these friends' hearts "burn" with joy. He can do that for us too.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
The risen Jesus didn't only appear. He also explained how He fulfilled prophecies written hundreds of years earlier. Truth and joy go together. We can give solid reasons for our hope. And we can let people see how much we love Jesus. We share both "with gentleness and respect" ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Notice Jesus' method on the Emmaus road. He didn't lead with a dazzling miracle. He opened the Scriptures and let truth do its warming work. Apologetics that only fills the head while leaving the heart cold has missed half the point. Your children need fathers who can give a reason for the faith. And they need fathers who visibly delight in Christ at the dinner table, in the car, in the hard week. A heart that burns is caught more than taught. Ask the Lord to renew your own affection for Jesus this week. Then your defense of the faith will be warm, not merely correct.
Draws on: Natasha Crain, Keeping Your Kids on God's Side.
Let's Pray Together
"Lord Jesus, make our hearts burn with love for You. Give us truth in our minds. Give us love in our hearts. Help us know You and love You more. In Jesus' name, amen."
Knowing Jesus isn't just facts in my head. It's a fire of love in my heart.