Do You See Jesus?

Many people think that Jesus met with the disciples right after Mary told them the tomb was empty but that was not the case. Jesus actually appears first to two men who are walking on a road. “That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him” (Luke 24:13-33). Jesus asks these two men what they were discussing so intently. One of the men, Cleopas, replies, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days” (Luke 24:18). “What things?” Jesus asked. They go on to tell Him about a rabbi from Nazareth who was a prophet, a mighty teacher, and did powerful miracles. Even though Cleopas and his friend had heard about the empty tomb, they remained discouraged. They had hoped He was the one, they said, the Messiah.  

Jesus scolds them for not believing what the prophets foretold regarding the Messiah and then connected all the dots for them. All the biblical verses that showed this was going to happen – to Him. It was late, so the travelers asked Jesus to stay and have dinner with them. “As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared” (Luke 24:30-31)!

Why disappear? I believe Jesus is showing us that believers walk by faith not by sight. A week from now He would tell a skeptical Thomas, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” (John 20:29). 

I know it may seem sometimes as if God is absent. When we are facing disappointment, illness, tragedy, heartbreak, we might wonder, where are you, Lord? I assure you He is there standing beside us. Comforting us. Encouraging us. He never abandons us. He promised He would not. Do we believe that? Jesus is all around us. In family and friends who are there when we need them. In coworkers who help us when we find ourselves overwhelmed. In brothers and sisters-in-Christ who comfort us when we are brokenhearted. We “see” Jesus with eyes of faith. Remember, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing [Him]” (John 20:29).  

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