Would you know it was Jesus?
- Christine DiGiacomo
- a few seconds ago
- 5 min read
After a very blessed weekend recognizing our risen Savior, as I began praying on Monday morning, I found myself thinking about how Jesus felt when he woke up that first day - also Monday morning. Knowing about the torture he had endured, was Jesus nursing gaping wounds on his hands, his feet and his side? Was his head bloodied and sore from the thorns thrust into his scalp? Yes, Jesus defeated death, but his body told the story.
But also without doubt, the body of the resurrected Lord was different than it had been before - Jesus was flesh and blood; He ate and drank and yet was able to pass through walls, too. Sometimes he was recognized by his loved ones, other times not. Hmmm....
We bear in mind the tomb was empty that early morning when the women arrived, and then rushed to tell the disciples that only Jesus' linen cloths were there. On the same day, Jesus took an afternoon walk and met two men - how I wish I could have heard what He said to them!
Luke records the encounter - the substance of which might be called 'The Greatest Sermon ever Preached', yet only two people heard it. Or maybe it would be called 'Dead Man Walking' or 'Give Up Hope? Never! Jesus is alive!'
Two men were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened when suddenly Jesus himself came up and walked along with them. Luke indicates that the men were kept from recognizing him. Though I am not sure why, God made it so the men did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" All locals would have known. "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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 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. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."Â
He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. How blessed the travelers were! Look at that again - beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus] explained to them what all the Scriptures said about Him. Can you imagine hearing Jesus recount all of this?!
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 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.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 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?"Â A marvelously incredible passage from Luke chapter 24
There is a lot we do not know here - what did Jesus look like? Again, on the third day since his torture and crucifixion, pierced hands and feet, bloodied brow...lacerated back - was that healed? I do not think so. What about his face - how in the world did they not recognize him?Â
Hmmm...I wonder how many times Jesus has come to me - just that obvious - and I did not recognize him. Do I always hear and recognize his voice in the various ways he speaks to me and tries to get my attention? I fear not.
How about you? Did you recognize Him trying to get your attention when you needed a touch of the Divine, and you even prayed for it, vowing that you would follow Him, if he would just grant you this one request? Did you follow Him then, or did you reduce things down to coincidence, or worse, karma?
Did you recognize His attempt to get you to look His way when you bumped up against someone who was just too kind, too good to be true, too sure and reflective of a loving God? ÂÂDang, you wanted some of that, ÂÂbut you soon put it out of your mind, and soon it seemed less real, less important to pursue God than other things.
How about when your son was born, and there you were, at the miracle of new birth, with the basest, purest of feelings coursing through you, and then life went onÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ, you got busy again. . . and the miracle God had wrought was forgotten? Do you realize that Jesus visited you that day? You might as well have been on the road to Emmaus, because you did not recognize Him.
This is a new day. This is the day the Lord has made ÂÂand you have a choice to "rejoice and be glad in it"1 as the psalmist purposed to do each day. You can choose to ask God to lead and guide you, and then... will you look for Him to do so? Will you hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it" as Isaiah did2? O, I want that to be true of me.
Your road may take you back and forth to the consulate in India as you await papers to bring home your new adopted daughter... your road may take you from a blue highway to a red highway, your road may take you through bumper-Âto-Âbumper traffic or painful personal hurdles, but your Savior walks beside you, if you will just look for Him, recognize Him, put your hand in His and walk with Him.
'Come, Jesus Come' this week's American Idol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWNZcFrxvt8
Look for him,
Christine
Luke, 62
Psalm 118.24
Isaiah 30.21