Recognizing Jesus

In our youth we feel immortal, as though we are invincible, with flesh that is unbreakable. Soon enough, that grave misconception of our existence is met with the truth of our mortality. Isn’t it funny how the risks we took as adolescents are drastically reduced once we discover that it is not a matter of if these ole’ bodies will fail us one day, but when. Much like the perception which blinded us to the truth of how short our lives are, we are often misguided on our perceptions of who Jesus and who God is. Earlier this week I read how some “Christians” were challenging the “righteousness” of someone who was sick, suggesting their sins caused the illness.

Let me, your friend, a common man, suggest to you that, if someone says such foolish things to you, they are not an authorized representative of Christ. Most assuredly they have a skewed perception of our Heavenly Father and would have a difficult time recognizing Him if He walked into the room. In fact, I believe many of us would be challenged to recognize Jesus if He appeared in the midst of our daily living. Our perceptions blind us. In Luke 24, on the walk to Emmaus, Jesus appeared. The people did not recognize Him, but the Bible says it was because “God kept them from recognizing him.” Maybe I am wrong. Maybe I am completely misdirected on this. But, I believe our prejudices, our perceptions of God, our cynicism prevent us from recognizing Jesus in our world. What would He look like to you today? If we cannot recognize Him for who He is, we can be easily deceived. The best way to get close to God and learn how to recognize Him is through His word and time in prayer.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for opening the eyes of my heart to recognize You in this life, to see Your hand moving, to recognize Your Presence and voice. As I commit to studying Your word, reveal Yourself to me. Thank you Father, for Your faithfulness to me! -Amen

As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.

Luke 24:15-16 NLT

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