Easter

EASTER

Luke 24:32

Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”

The walk to Emmaus, one of the best-known Easter stories, is too often neglected. Its familiarity has perhaps obscured its intensity of atmosphere.

After the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the prevalent question of those left alive was: “What do you think has happened?” The disciples walking to Emmaus were just as bewildered. They were almost physically exhausted and spiritually destitute. Joint mourners of the crucified Savior, they could do little to comfort one another. The heart of their hearts had grown cold, the flame had gone out.

Suddenly they changed. Jesus appeared, and, though they did not immediately recognize Him, their hearts began to grow strangely warm again; their hearts “burned within.” The three meanings of the word translated burn represent the stages by which their hearts were warmed.

Complete Sermon Outlines I. The Kindling of the Flame

I. The kindling of the flame

The first meaning of burn is “to kindle a fire” or “light a candle.”

This began when Jesus approached. They were so despondent that their heads were bowed on their chests; their eyes were on the dust of the road. Suddenly they saw three pairs of sandals, not two! The Savior did not rush in but “drew near” unobtrusively. He began walking beside them. The poet put it:

A stranger join’d them, courteous as a friend, and asked them, with a kind engaging air, What their affliction was, and begg’d a share.

Whenever He draws near to us on the road of life, the flame begins to kindle in our heart.

II. The strengthening of the flame

The second meaning of burn occurs in the Gospels where lamps are described as “burning brightly.”

Christ never lights a flame to let it die out. The story and the flame took a brighter turn, as Christ took matters in hand. “Beginning at Moses,” He began to expound certain Old Testament prophecies. Their faces in the setting sun began to glow, not only because of the sunset but because of the strengthening of the flame within their hearts. Think of the Savior reaching Isaiah 53! They had heard it read many times in the synagogue, but now for the first time understood it!

A seminary professor had the ability to make the Bible live for his students. They wanted to know his secret. One night, listening outside his bedroom door after he had had a long, hard day, they heard him say simply before climbing into bed: “Lord, you know we’re on the same old terms tonight”! Constant nearness, being always on the same old terms, never vacillating, this is the secret to understanding God’s Word.

III. The all-consuming passion of the flame

Jesus used the word burn when talking about the burning of the pruned vine branches. He spoke of the all-consuming power of a blazing fire.

According to eastern hospitality, the disciples invited Jesus in. He accepted and the guest soon became the host. As He took bread, they recognized Him (by the way He said grace, broke it and revealed His wound prints, perhaps). The next moment He was gone.

How easy for them to remain and have a real cozy “holy huddle,” praising the Lord! But the all-consuming passion of the flame He had kindled drove them back seven miles in the dark, amidst all kinds of dangers. They had a testimony to give!

Mosaics can still be seen in the remains of Roman encampments. A Roman general would take a sackful of these colorful stones with him on campaign. He was not interested in their prettiness for he was a practical man. These little stones made up a picture of his god, and his god must go with him. So we have a risen Savior who goes with us as surely as He walked the Emmaus road. He says: “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

O Thou who camest from above,

The pure, celestial fire to impart,

Kindle a flame of sacred love

On the mean altar of my heart.

There let it for Thy glory burn,

With inextinguishable blaze;

And trembling, to its source return

In humble love and fervent praise.

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