Hearts Ignited by the Word
“They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’” Luke 24:32
Have you ever felt your heart blaze with a fire that could only come from God? On that dusty road to Emmaus, two disciples of the Lord were walking with their heads down and feeling like all hope was gone. That is until a stranger joined them. Unbeknownst to them, it was Jesus, risen and alive, opening the Scriptures to reveal himself.
Later they revealed that their hearts “burned” within them as he made Himself known to them through the Word. This means that they experienced a divine stirring of awe, joy, and conviction within. This wasn’t just a warm feeling; it was the Word of God, through the Spirit, igniting their souls with transforming truth. Their burning hearts marked a profound encounter with Christ, not through his physical presence, but through the Scriptures unfolded to them (Luke 24:32). Later, Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45), unveiling his glory, just as we’re transformed “from one degree of glory to another” by beholding him (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Adrian Rogers once said, “There are two things the Lord opens for us when we’re confused and discouraged: He opens the Scriptures, and He opens our eyes. Light without sight is no good, and sight without light is no good. We need both.”
On that road, Jesus veiled his identity, not to confuse but to anchor their faith in the Word, not His physical appearance. They didn’t say, “We recognized his features!” No, they exclaimed, “Our hearts burned as He opened the Scriptures!” The written Word brought Jesus near, made Him real, and set their souls ablaze. This is how we encounter Him today, not by seeing Him physically, but by meeting Him in the pages of Scripture, where the Spirit reveals His glory and transforms us.
But here’s the challenge: are we approaching God’s Word to truly meet Jesus, or are we just skimming for information? The disciples’ burning hearts came from a divine appointment with the risen Lord through His word. If we want that same fire, we must approach scripture intentionally, seeking transformation over trivia. Let me share seven practical ways to engage the word so your heart too, can burn with the presence of Christ:
These steps aren’t a formula; they’re a posture of the heart, a way to draw near to God and taste His goodness (1 Peter 2:3). When we encounter Jesus in the Word, our hearts burn and we’re changed, but it doesn’t stop there. Notice that after Jesus vanished, the disciples turned to each other, marveling, “Did not our hearts burn within us?” They entered a fellowship of flaming hearts, united by the fire of God’s Word.
As David Guzik suggests, “Jesus left so they would minister to one another and fan each other’s flames.” When you’re set ablaze by Scripture, you’re called to ignite others through encouragement, testimony, or sharing what God’s teaching you.
But here’s the sobering truth: if your heart isn’t burning for God’s Word, something’s amiss. Healthy hearts long for God’s word (Psalm 119:131). If that longing’s absent, it may be that you’ve never tasted God’s kindness in Christ. I plead with you: trust Jesus, who died for your sins and rose to give you life. Receive him as Savior and Lord today. Or perhaps you’re saved, but sin is suppressing your spiritual appetite. Confess it, repent, and resolve to dive into Scripture, not to play church, but to delight in the Savior. Put away sin, plunge in the Word, and watch God set your heart ablaze.
When our hearts burn through the Word, we’re not just transformed, we become torches that light the way for others. Who in your life needs their heart kindled? Share the truth that’s burning in you. Let’s be a fellowship of flaming hearts, ignited by Scripture, fanning the flame in one another, all for the glory of our risen Lord.
Have you ever felt your heart blaze with a fire that could only come from God? On that dusty road to Emmaus, two disciples of the Lord were walking with their heads down and feeling like all hope was gone. That is until a stranger joined them. Unbeknownst to them, it was Jesus, risen and alive, opening the Scriptures to reveal himself.
Later they revealed that their hearts “burned” within them as he made Himself known to them through the Word. This means that they experienced a divine stirring of awe, joy, and conviction within. This wasn’t just a warm feeling; it was the Word of God, through the Spirit, igniting their souls with transforming truth. Their burning hearts marked a profound encounter with Christ, not through his physical presence, but through the Scriptures unfolded to them (Luke 24:32). Later, Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45), unveiling his glory, just as we’re transformed “from one degree of glory to another” by beholding him (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Adrian Rogers once said, “There are two things the Lord opens for us when we’re confused and discouraged: He opens the Scriptures, and He opens our eyes. Light without sight is no good, and sight without light is no good. We need both.”
On that road, Jesus veiled his identity, not to confuse but to anchor their faith in the Word, not His physical appearance. They didn’t say, “We recognized his features!” No, they exclaimed, “Our hearts burned as He opened the Scriptures!” The written Word brought Jesus near, made Him real, and set their souls ablaze. This is how we encounter Him today, not by seeing Him physically, but by meeting Him in the pages of Scripture, where the Spirit reveals His glory and transforms us.
But here’s the challenge: are we approaching God’s Word to truly meet Jesus, or are we just skimming for information? The disciples’ burning hearts came from a divine appointment with the risen Lord through His word. If we want that same fire, we must approach scripture intentionally, seeking transformation over trivia. Let me share seven practical ways to engage the word so your heart too, can burn with the presence of Christ:
1. Prioritize: Carve out daily time to read the Bible and study it deeply. Join a small group and ask someone to hold you accountable. If you’re serious about meeting Jesus, make His Word non-negotiable.
2. Pray: Before you open the Bible, pray Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Ask the Spirit to unveil Christ and ignite your heart.
3. Ponder: Don’t rush. Meditate on a verse or passage. Ask, “How does this reveal Jesus? How does it apply to my life?” Let the Word sink deep.
4. Pen: Keep a journal and pen handy. Write what God shows you. As the saying goes, “The weakest ink is better than the best memory.” Jotting notes helps you process and remember.
5. Personalize: Turn Scripture into personal prayer. For example, rephrase Proverbs 3:5: “Lord, help me trust in you with all my heart.” Let the Word shape your conversation with God.
6. Practice: Obey what you read. James 1:22 warns against being hearers only. Want blessing? Do what the Word says, and watch God work.
7. Proclaim: Share what God teaches you. The more you give away, the more it sticks. Your testimony of Christ’s work through His Word can spark a fire in others.
These steps aren’t a formula; they’re a posture of the heart, a way to draw near to God and taste His goodness (1 Peter 2:3). When we encounter Jesus in the Word, our hearts burn and we’re changed, but it doesn’t stop there. Notice that after Jesus vanished, the disciples turned to each other, marveling, “Did not our hearts burn within us?” They entered a fellowship of flaming hearts, united by the fire of God’s Word.
As David Guzik suggests, “Jesus left so they would minister to one another and fan each other’s flames.” When you’re set ablaze by Scripture, you’re called to ignite others through encouragement, testimony, or sharing what God’s teaching you.
But here’s the sobering truth: if your heart isn’t burning for God’s Word, something’s amiss. Healthy hearts long for God’s word (Psalm 119:131). If that longing’s absent, it may be that you’ve never tasted God’s kindness in Christ. I plead with you: trust Jesus, who died for your sins and rose to give you life. Receive him as Savior and Lord today. Or perhaps you’re saved, but sin is suppressing your spiritual appetite. Confess it, repent, and resolve to dive into Scripture, not to play church, but to delight in the Savior. Put away sin, plunge in the Word, and watch God set your heart ablaze.
When our hearts burn through the Word, we’re not just transformed, we become torches that light the way for others. Who in your life needs their heart kindled? Share the truth that’s burning in you. Let’s be a fellowship of flaming hearts, ignited by Scripture, fanning the flame in one another, all for the glory of our risen Lord.