Didn't Our Hearts Burn? | Part One

Key Thought | Jesus often does His deepest work in us while we are simply walking with Him.

Key Scripture | “As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, ‘Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?’” —Luke 24:30–32 (NLT)

This week, we will prepare our hearts for Conference by spending time in the Scripture that this year’s theme comes from. Over the next few days, we’ll slow down and look closely at this powerful passage.

What began as a simple seven-mile walk became a day, and early evening, that two disciples would never forget.

I would encourage you to read the entire story. Each day, I’ll share a portion of it and what God has been speaking to me through it.

Every year, our team gathers and asks a simple question: What is the theme of Conference this year? This year was no different. As we sat together in the office, I sensed God’s voice so clearly saying, “Didn’t our hearts burn…”

That has become the prayer of Lauren, myself, our elders, and our team—that our hearts would be set ablaze in love for Jesus. That we would be a people like the five virgins whose lamps were lit, burning, and filled with extra oil, watching and waiting for Jesus’ soon return.

Jesus wasn’t in a hurry.

The Emmaus walk began simply enough—two men walking down a road when a third joined them. Little did they know the One walking with them was Jesus. The journey was seven miles, which would have taken at least four to five hours. Not only did they walk together, but by the end of the day, they enjoyed His company so much that they invited Him to stay for dinner.

Jesus wasn’t in a hurry. He wasn’t too busy to take time.

 Are we?

Jesus doesn’t care about status or fame.

 We don’t really know who these men were. One is named Cleopas, but little else is known about him. The other isn’t named at all.

I love this. Jesus took an entire day to walk with two disciples most of us know almost nothing about. When you stop and think about it, that speaks volumes about who He is, far more than we might notice at first glance.

He shows no partiality. He doesn’t prefer pastors or people we consider important more than He desires to be with us. The question is never His intention; the question is whether we will be intentional.

Jesus asked questions before He gave answers.

 “He asked them, ‘What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?’ They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, ‘You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.’ ‘What things?’ Jesus asked. ‘The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,’ they said. ‘He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people.’” —Luke 24:17–19 (NLT)

This is so powerful. Before Jesus rushed in with answers, He let them open up. He asked questions and listened.

Part of what God wants to do in us is help us unpack our hearts. So often, I don’t even know what’s buried deep inside mine. Busyness and constant movement act like tampers, tools used to compact soil. When life has “tampered” my heart, it’s Jesus who gently guides me to rediscover what’s actually there.

He does this not by making statements, but by asking questions.

Eventually, Jesus would reveal Himself and the beauty of what had truly happened, but not yet. First, He wanted to unpack what they believed and what they had witnessed, even where their understanding was incomplete or wrong.

As you prepare for Conference, consider this simple invitation: walk with Jesus without rushing. Give Him space to ask questions, to listen, and to gently uncover what’s really happening in your heart. Sometimes the fire begins to burn long before we recognize who is walking beside us.

Prayer | Jesus, slow me down. Help me recognize Your presence in the everyday moments of my life. Ask the questions that uncover my heart, and give me the grace to listen. Let my heart burn with love for You again. Amen.

Reflection

• Where in your life might Jesus be walking with you, even if you haven’t recognized Him yet?
• What questions might He be asking you that you’ve been too busy to hear?

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