Did not our hearts burn within us?

16 Feb Did not our hearts burn within us?

Read Luke 24:13-35
Thought for the Day: All relationships change us.

As a teenager, I started an underground newspaper with my friend Dave. As co-authors of Gathered Moss (a play on Rolling Stone Magazine), we accomplished our goal of outselling the school newspaper. But like most high school friends, we went our separate ways after graduation. In the years since we have made an effort to stay connected and, every few years, Dave even travels to New England. In the past decade, we have even enjoyed a few trips to Cabby Shack where we have dinner and reminisce about the past. While our time together is rare, it is always special.
On one of Dave’s visits to New England, I took him and his wife to some of our Massachusetts presidential sites. We enjoyed the day and afterward I discovered that I was on my own presidential history kick. Every time I see my friend, I am energized. I can definitely say that our friendship changes me for the better!

After the Resurrection, Jesus’ friends thought they would never see Him again. Then they encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus. While they were only together a short time, this reunion was beyond energizing for the disciples: “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?” This encounter reminds us that while all relationships change us, a relationship with Jesus changes us in a special way.

We can always look forward to the next time we will see long-distance friends, but with Jesus, we never have to wait. What good friend of yours have you not reached out to in a while? Today is a great day to reconnect. Have you made sure today to have a conversation with Jesus? If not, why not have it now?

In Christ,
Pastor Stan (and David)