Burning Hearts

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:27-35


He began with Moses (The Pentateuch, first five books of the Old Testament) and all the prophets, explaining the Messianic prophesies throughout all the scriptures. Such passages as Psalm 16, Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. They were about Him. Jesus always referred to written scripture to teach about Himself and about God's whole plan of grace. One cannot believe in the person of Christ and ignore or deny written scripture. "In the beginning was the Word.." it is about Him, it is within Him, it IS HIM. He loves it and always quoted it when He taught. Furthermore, these were Jews, to whom He was speaking. They knew the scriptures. A Jewish male didn't become an adult without learning the Old Testament. It was required.

They entreated Him to stay overnight with them, since it was late. He agreed, and they began their evening meal. "He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, began giving it out to them. (v.30)." Then something changed.

I heard David Jeremiah teach this passage many years ago, and he theorized that it was the sight of Jesus' hands at the table, distributing the bread, that opened their eyes. Jesus' nail-scarred hands. We can't know for sure that was what opened their eyes, but I like it.

Then He disappeared. Now they realized that there had been something different and special about Him all along. Their hearts had "burned" within them as He spoke ("My sheep hear My voice" John 10:27). They went immediately back to Jerusalem, to tell the others what they had experienced that day, and that it was surely He, the risen Lord, who had visited with them. ("This is My body which is given for you" Luke 22:19)

They had recognized Him in the breaking of the bread.