Author: Christine Wyrtzen

“Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He walked with us?” Luke 24:32

Does my heart burn when Jesus speaks? Does it burn with conviction, but more often, does it burn as having been affected by a supernatural influence? Have I known a series of life-changing moments when the heavens opened and all became clear?

On the very day that the tomb of Jesus was found empty by Mary Magdalene, two men walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Both disciples of Jesus, they were in deep discussion about the report that Jesus was alive. Incredulous, they couldn’t imagine it was true. At that moment, Jesus appeared and walked with them though they didn’t recognize Him. He challenged their unbelief about the resurrection and began to remind them of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s life, death, and rise to glory. His words were so dynamic that when it was time to leave them, they begged Jesus to stay longer. Later, when He broke bread with them, their eyes were opened, and He disappeared from their sight.

Then they had this conversation. “We should have known. Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He walked with us?”

When Jesus speaks, His words are potent. I’m stunned. A bit dissociated. Unable to connect with the mundane. Sleepless due to the excitement I feel. Voraciously hungry for more. Convicted of my sin. More alive than I’ve ever been. Wordless to describe the experience. This is the aftereffect of hearing the Rabbi’s voice.

Like the old hymn, “He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.” Any given day could be an ‘Emmaus Road’ day. There are seasons of revelation. Sometimes Jesus gives me an ‘open heaven’ day and other times He is silent. I must live off the memories of His last visit. But one thing is for sure ~ His words bring physical, emotional, and spiritual impact. David knew. “My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned.” Psalm 39:3

What is the most important spiritual skill I can cultivate? To hear the voice of God. If I live the breadth of my Christian life trying to model the principles of the Bible as if it were a self-help book, not only won’t it be exciting but it won’t sustain me when storms hit. Oh, this is not how it’s supposed to be. I am to feast on true companionship. I’m praying that you will have a ‘burning moment’ today, a supernatural appointment with the Spirit of God. Set your heart in listening mode.

I don’t even have to wait for You to show up on my journey. You’re inside. My heart is ready. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”  And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:42-43

Spiritual blindness and spiritual sight are a supernatural phenomenon.   Whether or not Jesus is recognized is totally dependent on Holy Spirit enablement. Some traveled with Jesus for three years and failed to see who He was. Some brothers and sisters grew up with him and never understood who shared their home. But other times, in a mere instant, others knew. Simeon’s heart leapt at the mere presence of toddler Jesus. Elizabeth’s spirit leapt at the proximity of pre-natal Jesus. And the thief on the cross recognized Jesus as King when he saw a suffering Savior. He said to him, ‘Remember me when you come into your kingdom.’

There is a certain thing your heart does when you recognize Jesus in a person. There is an instant ache, then joy, and then wonder. At our last church conference gathering, that moment occurred for me. Our congregation had just taken a vote whether to build a new sanctuary. The vast majority voted for it and there were a handful that voted against it. When our pastor announced the results, he did not break into celebration. He withheld his excitement and addressed the few who had reservations. ‘I want to speak to any of you who weren’t able to give your support for our new building. I hear your voices. I would love to meet with each of you in person and learn from your wisdom. There may be blind spots you’re able to share with me. How you feel is important to me.’ When he transitioned to acknowledge the victory, he didn’t treat it as something that was won at others’ expense.

A Jesus-moment. The most important thing in the meeting was not the vote for a new building. It was shepherding the people. Our pastor, a humble-sensitive soul, put his people first. The reality that there would be a new sanctuary paled in importance.

Spiritual recognition happens more often when someone watches another suffer. When they sing through their tears, when they bear the hurt of mistreatment, when they praise God for the opportunity to share in Christ’s suffering, God’s glory is revealed. Someone watching will step back and realize that this is an otherworldly moment. For the thief on the cross, it was probably the moment Jesus prayed to forgive those who were causing his affliction and enjoying it as if it were a sporting event. It was not too late for this thief to see God’s Son revealed and to believe. If you are reading this, it’s not too late for you either. Now is the time for salvation. Only the Spirit of God can cause you to recognize Jesus. Ask him.

Shine through me, Jesus. When it’s hardest for me to trust you, those are probably the moments that hold the greatest evangelistic potential. Don’t let me despise what is painful. Amen

Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the HolySpirit.  John 20:21-22

When the disciples were despondent after the crucifixion of Jesus, Jesus appeared, told them to be at peace, and then breathed on them.  “Receive the Holy Spirit.”   They went from there to burn brightly for the kingdom.

Christ, in God, breathed at creation too.  When He did, life erupted.

Adam was just a physical man, made of the dust of the ground.  He was not a spiritual being until God moved from on high.  Adam’s soul would not be made of earthly materials.  It would come to life only by a God-breath.

Job knew this too.  He said, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”  Job 33:4

Ezekiel knew it as God said, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”  Ezekiel 37:9 In a vision, nearly dead bodies came to life, stood on their feet, and became a great army.

The world at the end of the tribulation will know it when the two witnesses, the prophets Satan kills, come back to life with a breath.  “But after three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.”  Revelation 11:11

And we knew it at the time of salvation.  God breathed over us and our spiritual blindness was cured.  We looked up and saw a Savior; we looked inside and saw our sin.  “Unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  John 3:5 

I think of the phrase ‘the living dead.’  It refers to the meaningless existence of a person who is technically alive but soulfully checked out.  That never need describe any child of God.  The Spirit of God, the breath of God, is within us.  He longs to rise up and infuse us with eternal life.  The outgrowths are security, calmness, spiritual power, and the feeling of being wonderfully alive.  Many are waiting for heaven to experience the abundant life but, right now, it’s a breath away.

I look to no one else for life.  I feast on Your Word.  I drink of You deeply.  I breathe of Your Spirit.  So breathe over me.  Amen

And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” Mark 8:29 

Scripture does not say whether Jesus was sad as He asked His disciples this question, “Who do you say that I am?” He was God and understood spiritual blindness. He knew that spiritual eyesight is never completely cured on this earth. Only in heaven will we exclaim, “I never knew you were this glorious.” Or, “I never knew you loved me like this!”

In my ignorance, I can wonder how the disciples could have been blind. They had the advantage of having Jesus with them. They saw him heal leprosy, drive out spiritual oppression, and calm the seas. Yet, Jesus knew that spiritual blindness takes time to clear. It would only be sometime later, after the resurrection, that they would finally grasp His deity and give their lives to tell others about Him.

Just as people can be blind to Jesus, they can also be blind to Jesus in me. Believer, or unbeliever. The ones who struggled the most to see Jesus’ divinity were his own family. Likewise, those who know me best, and the longest, are often blind to the presence of Jesus in me. It’s the nature of hometown dynamics.

There may come a day when family and friends see His Light and take a step back. Just about the time I believe must accept being misunderstood, God will begin to clear the fog. It was He who allowed me to be concealed for a time and it is He who facilitates the unveiling. It’s as if they’ve never seen me before. Comments are taken seriously. Insights are valued. Company is sought after. I shake my head and wonder how this could happen after so many years.

If I live near others who don’t really see me, it’s not necessarily permanent. While I languish under invisibility, God is near. I am in God’s schoolroom where lessons abound. I remember the Old Testament scripture that says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter.” Proverbs 25:2 The period of others’ blindness is under the sovereignty of my Heavenly Father. While I am hidden to them, He ‘searches me and knows me.’ Though often rejected by them, ‘He calls me His and has me engraved on the palm of His hands.’

You change the hearts of kings and turn on the lights when it’s time. While I wait, give me the grace You received from Your Father as you walked out Your faith before those who knew You and loved You – and yet didn’t see You. No matter how painful, You are with me and I am known completely. Amen

All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  John 10:8