A REFINED HEART
Have you ever hoped for something but then it came out the opposite to what you expected? I remember applying to the University of British Columbia (UBC) right after I graduated from high school, I had high hopes, thinking I was for sure going to get admitted to the Education program. I even prayed in front of the Education building with my mom (she’s the one with great faith).
But when I learned that I was not accepted and had to enroll in a different school, I was disappointed. I kept my head down but still worked my hardest to obtain my bachelor’s degree at my second-choice school. It’s funny, though—God prompted me again to apply for a postgraduate degree at UBC. I was not ready to be let down again, but everyone in my family and church supported me in prayer. Lo and behold, I was accepted into the program at God’s perfect timing and for His great purpose, to align my heart with His.
Similarly, there were two believers who had followed Jesus during his ministry. They had hoped for Jesus to be appointed as Israel’s political leader, but they were let down when they witnessed their Rabbi being hung on the cross. They were in despair, but God had immeasurably more in store. Let’s look at Luke 24:13-35.
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.”
The context is that Jesus’s disciples were informed that the grave could not hold Jesus down. He had fulfilled the great promise of being resurrected on the third day, the veil was torn, and it all pointed to Jesus being alive! It was a joyful occasion, yet these two followers were downcast. They were devastated because they were too focused on their disappointment and problems.
These two men missed the fact that Jesus came to Earth for a greater purpose—to deliver humankind from sin, not for political reasons. How often does this happen to us? We tend to place our desires at a higher priority than God’s will for our lives. But Jesus lovingly pursued and ministered to them.
Verse 16 stood out to me “but they were kept from recognizing [Jesus]”. This paints a beautiful picture of Jesus taking apart their old ways of thinking to revive their sense of hopelessness. Jesus was simply meeting them where they were, so that He could reveal Himself to them as their Saviour in a personal and intimate way.
Perhaps as you’re reading, you are reminded of a prayer you’ve been waiting for. For some time now, you’ve been praying for a family member to accept Jesus as Savior. Or maybe you are at your wits’ end, having waited for a house, a job, a career change, a husband, or a child.
I thank God that we can confidently make our requests known to God. At the same time, I pray that this does not divert our focus from God’s purpose for us in this particular season. Speak over your life the promise found in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has in store for those that love Him.”
I pray that you will continue to place your trust and hope in Jesus alone because He ultimately knows what is best for us. Only Jesus can exchange beauty from ashes, despair for joy, and what seems impossible to human eyes is made possible through Him. Going back to the two men journeying to Emmaus, there seems to be a change of heart after they have spent that time with Jesus.
25 [Jesus] said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.
29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
32 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?”
Isn’t it amazing that no matter how long we’ve followed Jesus, we can still experience His presence in a new, profound way? Here, we see the process of refinement in Jesus’s followers from wanting to fit their agenda into God’s plan to a growing desire of faithful obedience.
It becomes less about their self-conceited ideation and more about being fully captivated by selfless ambition. They are beginning to see God’s heart behind redemption from sin and an eternal Kingdom. Jesus knew what they wanted, but He gave them what they needed: the Holy Spirit to ignite a deeper yearning for holy, righteous, and hope-filled living.
The bread they took resembles the body of Jesus that was broken for us. Along with that, it represents how His Word is a fresh manna for us. It’s essential that we make time to encounter His Truth daily, so that we can be renewed in our thoughts, perspectives, and focus as we live for His Kingdom.
The more we read the Word, the more He unveils His character for us to embody. A true mark of a Christian is a life that fully submits to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in correcting us, removing our habitual sins, and refining us to foster the Fruit of the Spirit.
I believe this Scripture invites us to take initiatives in studying the Word, attending classes, and enriching our knowledge of the Scriptures. It is also necessary that we seek trusted mentors or spiritual leaders to disciple us and ask for guidance in areas needed for our spiritual growth. I love seeing the women in our church imparting knowledge to one another, through various stages of life, and praying for one another.
If we keep reading, we see the two men naturally walked seven miles back to Jerusalem, just so they could fellowship with the other disciples. They were radically changed in their hearts and were on fire for the cause of Christ.
In hindsight, I was placed at UBC in that specific time because the Holy Spirit was leading me to share the gospel with my classmates. I had the opportunity to encourage and pray over a classmate who lost their spouse during our program in Education. So, while I may not have received an immediate answer to my prayer, but God is faithful in preparing me for when I receive my assignment.
With Holy week just around the corner, I hope this message encourages us to submit to His teachings, as stated in Matthew 16:24 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” What is something that God has reminded you to surrender to Him? How has God prompted you to realign your plan with His? What assignment has God called you to in this season of your life?
As we endure afflictions and suffering, we can find hope in knowing that God uses these experiences to draw us closer to Him and to refine us. We can be assured that nothing we go through is without purpose, for God strengthens our faith and purifies our hearts through it all.
Source: Jennifer Wijaya (Global Women Coordinator)
