In Acts 17, Paul went to Mars Hill to declare the truth of the resurrection. There were many listeners who gathered who were not spiritually minded. Luke, who wrote the Book of Acts by inspiration, recorded that they spent their days simply wanting to discuss the latest new ideas with little interest in action on what they learned (v. 21). Too much information can be dangerous. All the ideas can blur together and become incoherent, leaving us unchanged by what we know.
Centuries ago, the historian Plutarch (ca. 46 – 120 A.D.) warned of the danger of living on a purely informational level. He wisely said, “The mind is not a jar to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” The two disciples on the road to Emmaus would have agreed (Luke 24:13-32). They grieved the death of Jesus, but the risen Christ Himself joined them, yet He hid His identity. He began instructing them on the ancient prophecies of those events found throughout the Old Testament. Later that day, Christ revealed Himself to them and then departed.
After His departure, they marveled at what they had heard. The things taught were not sterile facts, but a fire that burned within them with devotion for the Lord. We are told in Luke 24:32 “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” Until we have a fire burning within our hearts, we cannot start a fire in someone else’s heart. We must trust the Shepherd of our souls to kindle our fire as we grow in His Word.
