Transformed

Lutheran, The, Apr 2001 by Duran, Ruben

Fed at Emmaus, our hearts burn within us

Two ordinary people made an unexpected round trip on an ordinary road after an extraordinary encounter. Their experience has long stirred the faith and imagination of artists and common believers. It can enlighten our path today as well.

It was the same road, the same people-but the experience changed their direction and destination. It was the same road, the same seven miles between Jerusalem and Emmaus-- but the speed of their return was different. It was the same road, the same two disciples-but there was something new and different about them.

What happened on that road? What happened to these two disciples? Little had changed since their Lord Jesus was crucified and buried in Jerusalem. Yet on this road they found out that everything would change forever.

On the way to Emmaus, they experienced sadness, disappointment and hopelessness (Luke 24:13-35). The two disciples grieved the loss of their Master, Jesus. The movement he started was over. It was time to get back to life as usual. So two disheartened disciples headed down the old road to Emmaus. Those seven miles never seemed so long.

But the situation was different on their return to Jerusalem. The two felt strong joy and hope. They had a clear focus and determination to tell what they had experienced. The two felt an urgency. There was no time to waste. Those seven miles were never traveled in such a short time.

What happened on that road? An apparent stranger accompanied them along the way. And he turned out to be their risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus transformed these two disheartened people into "burning hearts."

Burning hearts are hearts ablaze with the good news of the gospel. They energize people to witness to the hope of the resurrection in Jesus Christ. Burning hearts pump new life into people so they can give their lives away for others.

The disciples' burning hearts turned their hopelessness into hopefulness. Their sadness into joy. Their grief and confusion into explosive excitement and sheer determination to share their experience with the other disciples in Jerusalem.

Their witness contributed to the development of the revolutionary movement started by Jesus and later called Christianity.

Nevertheless, what is unique in this story is the way Jesus ministers to the two and prepares them for their task ahead:

* Jesus leads them from the known to the unknown. He accompanies them, listens to them and gently guides them through the Scriptures so they can understand the current events in light of the past and God's projected future. This was an effective Bible study.

* Jesus uses the usual to reveal the unusual. The stranger remained a stranger until dinnertime. Their first clue was the way he took bread and blessed it. They were used to it. And then the way he took the cup and gave thanks for it was more than enough. They looked at each other speechless, yet with the only question that mattered then: Can it be? Could it be the Lord? Their minds had been open with the Word-and now they were able to recognize him in, with and under a meal made holy that transformed their weak hearts into burning hearts.

What a gift these two disciples received on that road to Emmaus. It's a gift still available for you and me.

Jesus wants to be your companion on the road you travel. He has people to bless, lives to touch, hearts to transform. He calls you. He invites you to be part of his revolutionary movement to transform the world into burning hearts for God. Jesus wants you to be a disciple, ready to follow and willing to lead others to a relationship with God.

The way of discipleship may be strange to you, but not for long. Christ will open your mind to understand his word. The word will be a light to your path, and his holy meal will sustain you on your journey.

Why me, you say? Well, Jesus isn't looking for supermen or wonder-- women. He is looking for ordinary people, open-hearted women and men to receive God's gifts of grace, forgiveness and love-and then pass them on to others.

Ordinary people, like you and me and like the two on the road to Emmaus, can be empowered by God to do extraordinary things. We can be empowered to have "burning hearts" as we accompany each other on the road of life.

Duran is executive for congregational outreach services for the ELCA Division for Outreach.