BIBLE 101: RECOGNIZING JESUS

RECOGNIZING JESUS

by Elizabeth Pedersen (elizabethp@lordoflife.org)

Bible 101

I had a dream the other night that my mother changed our yearly family vacation. For over 30 years, we’ve gone to the same place and stayed in the same cabin every year. And without consulting me, she changed the cabin we were to stay in. When I realized it, I was so upset. What about our cabin? And how on earth could she not tell me? It was, of course, only a dream. But I was so upset in my sleep that even after I woke up, it took me a few minutes to shake it and come back to reality.

This is the thing about change—dream or not—change has a way of overwhelming your mind so that when you’re in the thick of it, it’s the only thing you can see. The shock of a loved one’s death, a job transition, planning a house renovation, making an important decision, a devastating loss. You know the feeling— change can take over your mind. In the wake of Jesus’ death, can you imagine the mindset of Jesus’ disciples and followers? It was undoubtedly the only thing they could think or talk about, especially after the tomb was found empty. But there’s one thing I’ve always wondered about in the accounts of the resurrection: Why in the world didn’t they recognize Jesus? Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. (Luke 24:13-16) These two on the road to Emmaus, along with Mary Magdalene (John 20:14) and the disciples (John 21:4), all had the risen Christ right in front of them and didn’t know. Has something like this ever happened to you? Where you see someone who looks familiar, but you can’t place them? It’s a bit silly to think of this happening with Jesus Christ, but as the story goes on, once they arrive in Emmaus and realize it’s Jesus they’ve spent the day with, their response is, “Were not our hearts burning within us?” It’s the feeling you get when your body tells you that you know something, but your mind can’t make the connection. And when you think

about the way change (or stress or sin) can cloud your thoughts, it kind of makes sense. Whether it be as small as encountering someone in a different context or as big as a life-altering transition, change can disconnect you. And in the disconnection of your mind from your body, or, if you will, your soul, we can fail to see the truth. As children of God, created in God’s image, there is a deep truth of God’s love, grace, and mercy within us—one that we hear about in the scriptures and experience in the sacraments. It’s a truth that our souls will never forget. And yet, in all the ways this mortal life can distract us, even when the truth stands right in front of us, we can fail to recognize it. Maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on Jesus’ followers for not recognizing him after all.

reflection

• Read Luke 24:13-35. What was it that helped them recognize Jesus? Why do you think that was?

• In what ways do you prevent yourself from recognizing Jesus as the truth in your life? • How might you work to align your mind and soul around the truth in times of change or stress?