PrintToday's "Moment with Mark" (130)
4 April, 2013
Afterward he appeared to two who were walking from Jerusalem into the country, but they didn't recognize him at first because he had changed his appearance. When they realized who he was, they rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them. (Mark 16:12-13 NLT)
Luke is the gospel writer who develops this story of the two on the road to Emmaus. What puzzles me is the expression ....."they didn't recognise Him". And this is not the only occasion that it appears in the various accounts of the resurrection appearances. In John 20/14 it is said of Mary, "...but she didn't recognize him".
Mary's inability to recognise Jesus might be explained in natural terms. Teary eyes. The assumption that the body had been moved or stolen. But the inability of the two on the Emmaus Road to recognise Jesus is directly attributed to the initiative of God.
"But they didn't know who he was, because God kept them from recognizing him." (Luke 24:16NLT)
Now why would God do that?
I wish I could come up with a clever answer to impress you (!!), but one is not forthcoming. Maybe God did this to allow time for Jesus to be brought up-to-date with the recent events? Did Jesus know the details of what happened from when He died to when He was resurrected? Certainly they heard a lot from this stranger who was walking with them before they realised who He was. "Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!" (Luke 24:31 NLT)
2 Kings 6/15-17 is an account from the Old Testament that invites comparisons.
Lessons?Things aren't always what they seem to be. Sometimes Jesus is right there in the midst of our sorrow or confusion. Let's constantly ask that our eyes be open to His presence and actions in and through our lives.
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