Luke 24:32
In Luke 24:32 we find a very plain comment from two men who witnessed the resurrected Jesus while traveling on the road. In fact, in the verses preceding this one Jesus even has a conversation with them. In this conversation, Jesus uses the Scripture to explain that He was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies given years ago concerning the Messiah (24:25-27). Of course, this is after these two men have told him, unknowingly realizing it was the Christ, that the tomb of Jesus was empty after three days (13-24). After Jesus broke bread with the pair he “vanished from their sight” (31). After conversing with Jesus and ingesting the newly learned details concerning the resurrection their comment in verse 32 to one another is, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
After reading the immediate context of verse 32, let us examine the actual text of this passage. First, it is obvious that the appearance of Jesus triggered a “heart burn” among the traveling couple. Second, it was not only Jesus’s conversation but also His ability to open “the Scriptures” and explain the fulfilled events of prophecy. Third, this “heart burn” that takes place is figurative.
Sometimes, figurative language can be difficult for Bible students to understand. Yet, if we compare it to our own modern-day language we will see that using “figures of speech” are quite common. For example, in our language we might express an anxious feeling of excitement by saying, “I have butterflies in my stomach.” Obviously, there are no real butterflies in our stomach—it is just a figure of speech. If someone loses a loved one we might say, “Their heart is broken.” Likewise, their heart is not actually broken. It is figurative language. We use many other figures of speech, like: “cross my heart,” “a big heart,” “cold-hearted, “I’ll treasure it in my heart,” “a heavy heart,” etc. The real emphasis we are trying to make is that somehow, our inner man, our very soul and spirit, has been affected by the events taking place.
In this specific instance (Luke 24:32), it is not difficult to see why their “hearts burned” within them. They were excited and overjoyed and moved with happiness to hear that, indeed, the Son of God died and was resurrected. This very fact gave them the hope and evidence that if Jesus Christ was raised from the dead He can give us hope for a resurrection too! In fact, in the first gospel sermon of Acts 2, Peter preaches about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His main point is stated in verse 36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” What reaction did this bring? Verse 37 says, “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” This wonderful question, and its answer, is still applicable today. Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (38).
Jesus died to save you from your sins! This very fact should make your heart quite heavy (knowing that God had to die for you). Yet, it should also bring you great joy (knowing you can be saved). Believe it and do what Peter says in Acts 2:38 and you can be saved too!
February 2005