These are the words of the disciples who were earlier discouraged by the loss of their hero and leader. Then Jesus appeared and their eyes were opened. After coming to terms with it all, they said, “Did not our hearts burn within us as He walked and talked with us by the way?”
There is a progression in this story. They moved from discouragement to their hearts burning! What made the change was them hearing His voice and experiencing His presence.
It is no different today. If we will hear His voice and walk with Him, we too can move from despair to excitement, where our hearts burn within us for zeal in His purpose.