Two of Jesus’ followers walked the dusty road home to Emmaus at the end of a long, perplexing day. That morning, Jesus’ tomb had been found empty, and talk of a conspiracy had already begun (see Matthew 28:11-15). The excitement of Jesus’ coming as King had turned to despair when he was executed and buried on Friday (Luke 19:28-44; 23:26-54). Now where was his body?

Someone quietly joined their walk and asked what they were discussing. They didn’t recognize his voice as he “opened the Scriptures” to them. Upon arriving home, they invited him to come in and stay with them. Then their guest turned the tables on them, taking on the role of host as they began their supper. He thanked God for the bread, broke it, and served it as he had often done for his disciples. Suddenly they saw that their “guest” was the risen Christ—and he disappeared!

They knew they had to do something. So immediately they returned to Jerusalem to tell the disciples, to share the good news they had burning in their hearts.

When I became a believer in Christ, my heart was aflame with newfound faith. The flame sometimes fades into embers, but, thankfully, the Emmaus account always rekindles it. Does your heart burn within as you read his Word? Ask Jesus to walk with you and help you be a passionate witness for his sake.