They didn’t see that coming. Lots to talk through and try to process as they headed down the road to Emmaus.

They had gone to Jerusalem for an annual feast and were returning home having witnessed an unjust execution. They had waved palm branches before the One they hoped would be their redeeming king, but now they just shook their heads as their last memory of Him was more that of a slaughtered sacrifice.

That was three days ago. And today, just as they were ready to head home, they heard the rumors of His body missing from the tomb and of angels declaring He had risen (Luke 24:13-24). Nope, didn’t see that coming.

Pretty confusing, really. What to make of it? Who knew?

But then, the risen Jesus, cloaking His identity, joins them on the road as a curious stranger. And, upon hearing their Jerusalem story, He helps them connect the dots.

And He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

(Luke 24:25-27 ESV)

The effect of this 1-on-1 encounter of the divine kind? Heartburn.

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 ESV)

He talked to us . . . He opened to us the Scriptures . . . and our hearts burned. True then, true today.

True this morning as I read, hover, and meditate. Glorious heartburn!

How we give away the opportunities for the risen Christ to speak to us by not providing Him opportunity to open to us the Scriptures.

I feel like a broken record sometimes, but I really think it’s this simple: Wanna encounter God? Open your Bible. Wanna hear the voice of God? Read His word.

It’s a living and active word (Heb. 4:12). And the Spirit living in us has taken up residence, in large part, to illuminate that Word and lead us into all truth (Jn. 15:26, 16:13). So determine to seek some heartburn. Gonna take a bit of persistence and practice, but the heartburn will come.

Might not answer all the questions right way. Might not dispel the confusion immediately. But hear Him speak as He opens to us the Scriptures and your heart will burn. You’ll know that you’ve met with the God of creation even while the things of earth still remain so crazy. Might not bring more understanding right way, but oh, you’ll know the blessing of the heartburn. And that blessing will fuel faith and increase confidence in the One who holds tomorrow.

He talked to us . . . He opened to us the Scriptures . . . and our hearts burned.

Part of His amazing grace. That we might enter more fully into His everlasting glory.