They said to one another, “Were our hearts not burning within us when He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32 NASB)
Last Saturday, during our family reunion, the plan was to take a relaxing pontoon boat ride along the Illinois River. My dad, however, wasn’t feeling up for the trip, so I offered to stay back with him so that my mom could enjoy time with her relatives. After everyone else left, Dad took a nap while I spent some time reading and writing. Later, we connected with a cousin who had also skipped the boat ride, and we began driving to Kamaroo Farms* to meet the rest of the group.
This cousin and I didn’t know each other well—we’d seen each other at previous reunions, but our interactions were usually limited. She was often helping with her grandkids while I was busy managing my own children, so we’d never really had a meaningful conversation. But, once in that car, God sparked an electric connection between the two of us.
My dad has a diagnosis of a serious medical condition, so our conversation began around the topic of speaking LIFE (not death) into his world. Quickly one topic flowed into another, and in a 35 minute ride we’d discussed faith, church, alternative science and political views, family, and a whole host of other things. Although he was agreeing with us as he was listening in the front seat, my dad didn’t say much. Normally a man of few words, in this case he could hardly get a word in edgewise because the Holy Spirit was connecting “Tara” and me in ways neither of us had expected. Later she and I agreed that we were pleasantly surprised by the conversation.
As you know, not all surprises in life are “pleasant.” So, when you can celebrate a good surprise, you should!
There are several surprises in the Bible. In Luke 24 we hear a story of two disciples who experienced a very good surprise.
Shortly after Jesus’s crucifixion, two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, discussing Jesus and all that had happened. Suddenly a man was walking alongside them, and engaged in their conversation. They explained what they’d experienced with Jesus, and then expressed some confusion and disappointment about how had not met their expectations. The man then proceeded to explain how Jesus fulfilled the Law and Prophets (our Old Testament) in his death and resurrection.
Evidently it was a meaningful conversation because they insisted he stay with them for the evening meal. During that meal he broke the bread and, suddenly, they knew they had been speaking with Jesus himself. Yet, just as suddenly he disappeared from them. They later said that their hearts “burned within us” in the conversation, even before they knew their guest was Jesus. Their surprise at having been with Jesus quickly turned to JOY because of his Presence.
Gracious God,
As Your people gather for worship today, I pray that the Holy Spirit would move among them and create “electric connections“—those unmistakable, Spirit-led moments of unity and insight that only you can orchestrate. As men and women hungry for you come together around Worship, the Word, and the Sacraments, let them encounter your Power and your Presence in real and personal ways. Let hearts be opened, lives touched, and faith renewed. Surprise us, God—with wonderful miracles, with great and unexpected acts that reveal your goodness and glory. May each person gathered in a Jesus-following community experience their hearts burning within them—ignited by the fire of revelation, revival, restoration, and reformation. Stir up your people to burn brightly with the Light of Jesus wherever they go, we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN.
After all, he’s famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to his surprises. (Job 5:9 MSG)
He does great things that we cannot understand and miracles that we cannot count. (Job 5:9 GW)
* If you are in the southwestern Illinois area near St. Louis, I highly recommend you check out Kamaroo Farms – a wonderful experience with delightful people in a beautiful setting.