Week 18: Burning Hearts

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Judges 8:18-9:21, Luke 23:44-24:12, Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 14:9-10
• Monday: Judges 9:22-10:18, Luke 24:13-53, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 14:11-12
• Tuesday: Judges 11:1-12:15, John 1:1-28, Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 14:13-14
• Wednesday: Judges 13:1-14:20, John 1:29-51, Psalm 102:1-28, Proverbs 14:15-16
• Thursday: Judges 15:1-16:31, John 2:1-25, Psalm 103:1-22, Proverbs 14:17-19
• Friday: Judges 17:1-18:31, John 3:1-21, Psalm 104:1-23, Proverbs 14:20-21
• Saturday: Judges 19:1-20:48, John 3:22-4:3, Psalm 104:24-35, Proverbs 14:22-24

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Luke:

Scripture: Luke 24:32
32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Observation:
On the day of Jesus' resurrection, two men from Emmaus walk back home from Jerusalem, a 7 mile walk, as all of a sudden Jesus walks besides them. He must have come out of nowhere, but the men are not surprised and Jesus walks along with them. Their hearts and their conversation is full of sadness (v.17) from the things that had happened to Jesus. When Jesus asks them what they are talking about, they act surprised: "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" (v.18). Jesus' crucifixion was a big thing and all the people in Jerusalem were talking about it.

Long story short... Jesus joins the men to their home, explains the scriptures to them, how the scriptures foretold that the Messiah had to suffer, then prays with them for dinner and disappears. At that moment, their eyes are opened, and they recognize him. That's when they explain today's SOAP verse: "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Application:
I love how these men express their burning hearts. When Jesus opens your eyes so you understand scripture, your heart gets stirred. I can only imagine these men hanging on Jesus lips as he explains how scripture had to be fulfilled regarding the suffering of Messiah, but also regarding his resurrection. Those are words of hope out of Jesus' mouth! Today we have the Holy Spirit -- going out from the Father and the Son -- who reveals the meaning of scripture to us, if we are receptive to it! The Spirit can and will stir our hearts in a similar manner.

To be honest, I have to admit there are times when my heart is not burning, and scripture reading is more of a 'duty' than a joy for me. When that happens, I know I have to pray for the Spirit to set my heart on fire, because I know with my mind there is nothing better than to read God's truth as revealed in his word. Typically,  it doesn't take long before he will give me a renewed passion...

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word, and for revealing truth from your word. Stir our hearts the way you stirred the hearts of  Cleopas and his companion. Set our hearts of fire for you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Have a great week!

In Christ,

Dick