WATCHWORD APRIL 2025

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”.

Luke 24,32

A GUIDED MEDITATIVE DEVOTION ON LUKE 24:32

Take a moment to settle into a quiet place. Breathe deeply, allowing yourself to become still. As you read through this devotion, let yourself be drawn into the story of the followers of Jesus on the road to Emmaus and reflect on how God is speaking to you through this passage.

Opening Prayer:

Loving Lord, as I come to You today, help me to quiet my heart and mind. Open my eyes to Your presence and my heart to Your Word. Speak to me as You spoke to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. May Your truth set my heart aflame with truth and understanding. Amen.

Step 1: Walking with Jesus

Imagine yourself walking along a dusty road. You are confused, perhaps discouraged, just as the disciples were after Jesus’ death. You are unsure of what the future holds. Suddenly, someone joins you on your travels. He begins to talk to you, addressing all your questions and your confusion by explaining the Old Testament Scriptures.
Pause for a moment. Reflect on how Jesus walks with you in your daily life, even when you do not always recognise Him.
In your moments of doubt or uncertainty, He is still present, gently guiding you.

Meditation:

  • Can you recall times when you felt distant from God but later realised He was with you all along?
  • What might Jesus be saying to you as you walk through this season of your life?

Step 2: Listening to the Scriptures

In this story, Jesus “opened the Scriptures” to them. As He spoke, their hearts burned within them. There was something about His words that stirred deep within them, awakening hope, faith, and understanding.

Now, imagine Jesus speaking directly to you, opening the Scriptures and explaining the truth of God’s love to you.

Take a moment to reflect:

  • What Scripture passages have spoken to your heart recently?
  • How might Jesus be using His Word to reveal more of Himself to you today?

Step 3: The Burning Heart

The two men later realised that their hearts were burning while Jesus spoke to them. This burning was not from fear or anxiety, but from the deep, powerful presence of God stirring within them. God’s Word is alive and active, setting our hearts on fire with a deeper under- standing of His love and purpose for us.

Closing Prayer

Jesus, thank You for walking with me each and every day, even when I do not recognise You. Help me to see You in every moment of my life. Open my eyes, my heart, and my mind to Your love and truth. Let me walk forward in faith, knowing You are always with me.

O Holy Spirit, guide my steps, and may my heart continually burn with the light of Your grace. In Your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Pastor Ingrid van Sittert