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I am using St. John’s Luke Lent Reading Plan for these devotions
Luke 23:13-35
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 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?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
I like to joke that I cry once every 10 years at the most. I am not easily moved to tears. But last Sunday – Easter 2025 – I was brought to tears by the choral offering of the Voices of St. John choir. The music was delightful: brass, piano, and voices combined in a symphony of sound. The day was glorious: full church, lilies adorning the chancel, Hallelujah banners unfurled, the message of the resurrection of Jesus powerfully proclaimed. In the middle of it all the choir sang:
Crown him King of Kings;
Crown him Lord of Lords.
Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God,
Emmanuel, God is with us,
And he shall reign, he shall reign,
He shall reign forevermore.
It touched a place deep in my soul. The idea that Jesus is King of kings, Lord of lords, and that we were celebrating that and giving honor to my Lord Jesus moved me. It always does. It’s where I find greatest joy and deepest delight in my faith.
I think of that because of the comment of the two disciples who encounter Jesus on their way to Emmaus. As soon as Jesus vanished from their sight they exclaim, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
This is the Internal Testimony of the Holy Spirit, the work of the Holy Spirit in confirming the truth of God’s Word and the reality of salvation to the heart and conscience of the believer. This is the work of the Holy Spirit creating and sustaining faith. It testifies to the clarity and sufficiency of Scripture, which does not need external proof but is received as true through the Spirit’s illumination.
God moments. Spiritual awakenings. Moments of inspiration. Wesley spoke of his heart being strangely warmed as he read Luther’s introduction to Luther’s commentary on Romans. Luther said, when he discovered the gospel message, “It was as though I was born again, and entered into paradise itself.” It is the inner peace of Christ, the peace that passes understanding. The Emmaus disciples experienced this when they were in Jesus’ very presence.
Grounded in Scripture. Centered in Jesus. Not the source of faith, but a beautiful touch of the Holy Spirit’s presence and grace. Leading us to honor Jesus and trust him more fully.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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