Heartburn!

By Pastor Jeff,

One day as two followers of Jesus were traveling to Emmaus Jesus joined up with them, Luke 24:17-24, “And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.”

It may seem humorous that the very person that these two were talking about is right with them Luke 24:27-32, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” 

Heartburn is not something that we find pleasant and we usually have to learn to change our diet or take antacids to avoid it. This heartburn is different however and many of us have heard a message or read a passage that affected our hearts. We may not of been able to put a finger on what was being spoken but it caused us to wonder at its meaning. When many of us heard the gospel message for the first time we could of had our hearts pricked but not understanding it’s source we rejected it.

There is a rule in marketing that says that the hearer of the product you are desiring to purchase or take action on need to receive that message seven times, it is called “The Rule of 7”. When it comes to the salvation message of Jesus Christ we too many times needed to hear or see that message several times and by different people or ways. Each time we may feel that pull at our hearts, but are not sure how to answer it because of past religious teaching, don’t want to pay the cost yet, or pride!

Thank God that one day like these two gentleman our eyes were opened, we understood the message, and accepted it. I want you to notice that the story didn’t end there, Luke 24:33-35 “And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” Once our eyes are opened to truth we then have a responsibility to share it, Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen”

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