“That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.” Luke 24:13-15 ESV
Reflection: do you think you would recognize Jesus if you met him?
I was sitting at a coffee shop the other day, minding my own business. Actually listening to a few YouTube videos on how to create subscriptions on a website. And in comes a man that seemed vaguely familiar, but I didn’t think much of it. Just noticed him. But after he had received his coffee and on his way out, he looked over at me as I looked up, and I suddenly made the connection. A wonderful man and pastor I used to know many years ago. He had gotten older, as I have. But by the time my brain had processed who it was, he was out the door and on his way. Although we both had gotten older, I am sure it wouldn’t have taken any time to connect again. To have a very nice conversation together as we used to.
And I think about how we will recognize each other in heaven. We will most likely not look the same (I know most of us hope for a few improvements to our earthly bodies, especially as we get older). We read today the story of the two disciples who were leaving Jerusalem after all the events of Passover. And while actively discussing the events, especially the crucifixion and death of Jesus whom they had been following, Jesus himself joins them on their walk, now in his resurrected body. So there are no physical clues that this man is Jesus. He asks them what they are talking about, and after filling him in he joins the conversation and the walk.
But they did not recognize him.
Now the crazy thing to remember, is that these are two of Jesus’ disciples. Although not of the 12 inner circle disciples, they had been walking with, listening to and even talking with Jesus directly for some time. Perhaps months. And they didn’t know it was him. But as Jesus is taking with them, something was happening to them. Let’s read it “So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.” Luke 24:28-31 ESV. Their eyes were opened,
so that they could recognize him.
But when they think back at their interaction and conversation with this man they had run into on the road, they make a very interesting conclusion. “They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”” Luke 24:32 ESV. So interesting. While they didn’t recognize his physical features, they actually recognized his words; perhaps even his persona. They felt their hearts burn while listening to him talk. And if you think about it, is a very similar experience to when we hear the words of Jesus today. We resonate with the pure truth of Jesus, the words penetrate our hearts, if we let them. They change us. They give us life.
People we grew up with and have not seen for decades, we can still recognize by who they are. We recognize something deeper than just appearance, an imprint or connection built. While we have never seen Jesus, I think we will recognize him when we finally meet him and have a chance to walk with him, from the deeper connection we have built with him beyond appearance. And, also fun to reflect on that this might be the way we will recognize all loved ones from here on earth.