Luke 24:32 – And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (KJV)

After my salvation experience in 1978, I had an unquenchable desire to read, learn, and understand the Bible. It became my first love. If I heard good lessons from Bible expositors on the radio, I would request their offered cassette tapes. This became an obsession as I sat for hours transcribing their messages. Books from a local Christian bookstore soon overwhelmed my bookshelf. My heart was burning from within — I could not get enough! Soon, along with my wife, I enrolled in a two-year Bible correspondence course from Liberty Home Bible Institute, thus launching a long journey into ministry.

In reviewing the post-resurrection narrative, my imagination was tweaked by the dialog of two disciples after their journey on the road to Emmaus. Luke, the gospel writer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, journals the scenario of these unknown men, whose identity is not important to the storyline. The story begs the question: How could a visible/invisible Man have affected them in such a manner as to ask, Did not our heart burn within us?

When meditating on this passage, I realized two things: (1) Jesus personally spoke and (2) Jesus revealed Scripture to them. So not only were they hearing the living Word from the mouth of Jesus, but their minds were illuminated and their lives were transformed during a Bible study with Jesus.

Consequently, whenever the Word of God is heard and explained in the power of the Holy Spirit, life-changing events occur. For example:

• When Peter preached the resurrection to the Jews after Pentecost, three thousand souls were added to the body of Christ, according to Acts 2:41.
• After a second sermon, Acts 4:4 tells us that the number of those saved grew to five thousand.
• When Paul preached the resurrection, lives were changed throughout the Roman Empire, and dozens of churches were planted as a result.
• During His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus demonstrated the power of the Word of God to drive Satan away by quoting Scripture.
• God's Word guides our decision-making: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105 KJV)
• His Word can prevent us from sinning: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11 KJV)
• There are special blessings for those who read and act upon the Word: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Revelation 1:3 KJV)

Therefore, the conclusion is simple:

2 Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

We need to study as if Jesus Himself were right alongside us. Having His Spirit as our guide, then Scripture becomes clear, and our hearts are set on fire, as happened to those on the Emmaus road.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we humbly ask for Your guidance on our daily walk toward the promised kingdom. May our desire to hear You speak not diminish, so we may produce the evidence of our changed hearts to minister for Your glory. We pray this in the name of Your Son Jesus. Amen.

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