Probably most of us have at some time experienced that uncomfortable burning sensation in our esophagus known as “acid reflux” or “acid indigestion,” or “heartburn.”  Sometimes the one-way-valve between the esophagus and stomach doesn’t close tightly enough and allows stomach acid to travel  back up into the esophagus, leading to the uncomfortable burning sensation. It often occurs after eating certain types of spicy foods.

     But, have you ever experienced “heartburn” from ingesting Scripture?  Well, we have a number of examples in Scripture, notably in the story of Jesus and the two disciples from Emmaus, recorded for us in Luke 24:13-35.   On the day of His resurrection, Jesus joined a couple who were returning from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus (about a seven-mile walk). One of them is identified as Cleopas (v. 18) and the other may have been his wife (v. 32). Jesus asked them what they were discussing and they related to Him the events that had just taken place in Jerusalem as the religious leaders had delivered up Jesus the Nazarene to the sentence of death and crucified Him.  They indicated how they were hoping that He would redeem Israel. They added that it had now been three days since all this had transpired and that some women had gone to the tomb and found it empty and had seen a vision of angels who told them He was alive, and that others had gone to the tomb and also found it empty (vv. 22-24).  

      Jesus responded to their story, saying to them, ” ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory!’ And beginning with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures”  (vv. 25-27…After all, history is His Story!).  As they approached their home, they invited Jesus to come stay with them. As they reclined at the table, Jesus “took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.  And they said to one another, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?’ ” (vv. 30-32).    Note the response of the two disciples in vv. 33-35.  They had to go tell someone so went back to Jerusalem and shared with the eleven apostles and those gathered with them.  God’s Word causes “heartburn” and motivates to witnessing about the risen Christ.  

     Do you remember how Jeremiah the prophet was given the very difficult task of warning Judah of coming judgment if they didn’t repent. They didn’t appreciate what he had to say and badly mistreated him. His severe testing produced momentary perplexity and Jeremiah complained to God (Jer. 20:7,8),. But, in the end, faith triumphed over his frustration and he too suffered “heartburn.”  Note Jer. 20:9: “But if I say, ‘I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,’ then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire, shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.” In spite of how Jeremiah was being persecuted for speaking the true prophecies from God, he could not stop, for God’s Word was like a burning fire in his heart.     

     On one occasion, the Apostles Peter and John were summoned by the religious leaders who “commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.’ ” (Acts 4:18,19).   Not long after that, Peter and some of the other apostles were put in jail by the religious leaders for teaching about Jesus’ resurrection. An angel sprung them from jail and told them to go to the temple and “speak the whole message of this Life” (Acts 5:20).  Again the religious leaders brought them in and said, “We warned you to stop teaching about Jesus!” (vv. 27,28).  Note their response: “But Peter and the apostles answered and said, ‘We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him’ ” (vv. 29-32). They obviously were suffering from “heartburn” just as the Emmaus disciples and Jeremiah. 

     The Apostle Paul understood what Jeremiah, Peter and John and the other Apostles went through, for he too suffered great persecution for teaching God’s Word (see II Cor. 11:21-33).  But, note what he wrote to the Corinthians: “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (I Cor. 9:16). 

    What about us? Do we have that same “heartburn” to spread “His Story”?  We should!  If we don’t, we probably are not spending time in the Word and letting that Word get into us–into our heart.  If we are doing that, we will have a burning desire to share it with others. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16). 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave