Andrew Murray was a pastor, author, and missions leader in South Africa around the turn of the 20th century. In this collection of sermons Murray compels his hearers and readers to move beyond mere knowledge about Jesus to a heart satisfied with nothing less than the living and present Jesus Himself.
The first half focuses on the disciples' encounter with the risen Jesus on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24). Murray draws out four stages of the Christian life from this account. The first stage is that of the sad and troubled heart. This is the heart that sees Christ dead on the cross - and is rightly sorrowed at his death and our sinfulness that required that death - but fails to see that Christ is no longer hanging lifeless on the tree but is risen and living. Next comes the heart that is slow to believe - those who have heard the Good News about Christ but think they still need to feel something or do something more to be able to fully commit to believing. They have yet to realize that Christ can not be discovered, but must be revealed and simply believed. Thirdly, the burning heart. This is the person who has had one or multiple experiences or tastes of the living Christ, but is trusting and chasing after the experience and not Christ. They have felt the glow and warmth of Christ's light, but have yet to see Christ Himself. Finally the true Christian comes to rest with a satisfied heart. This is the point at which those who have been drawn to Christ finally see Him revealed as the risen Savior and King that He is and find his joy in His presence alone.
Part two exposits Christ's promise to be with His followers "always, even to the end of the age" (Matt 28:20). Murray declares that this promise "is the secret of the Christian's strength and joy". He points out that by ascending to Heaven and sending the Holy Spirit, Christ is able to do what He was not able to do while on earth - be in intimate fellowship with every believer throughout the world.
This book makes a good companion to Rick Holland's Uneclipsing the Son which I read earlier this year. Both books have helped grow and spur on a deep, unshakable satisfaction in King Jesus.
"Oh, the difference between a burning heart, which becomes cold after a time, which comes by fits and starts, and the blessed revelation of Jesus Himself as my Saviour, taking charge of me and blessing me and keeping me every day!"
"Jesus, reveal Thyself that we may know Thee Thyself. We ask not only to drink of the Living Water, we want the Fountain."
You can get it free for the kindle here