They didn't recognise him until... by Aije Barnes, May 3 Issue 2 Vol 4

I shared this message some weeks ago but it was impressed in my heart to share it again as we all need to recognise when The Lord is speaking to us. Recognising and obeying The Lord when He speaks to us, will change our lives completely, for the best. It is truly life transforming! 

One thing that always amazes me was despite the amount of times Jesus spent with his disciples before his crucifixion, death and burial, when Jesus rose again and appeared unto them several times, his disciples did not always recognise him straight away.  

For example in John chapter 20 verse 11 to 18, Mary Magdalene was crying at the empty tomb having realised that Jesus was no longer there. Being questioned why she was crying by two Angels, when she turn around and saw Jesus and he asked her the same question, she did not recognise him until he called her name...

In Luke chapter 24 verse 13 to 35, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Despite the long discussion and rebuke for their lack of understanding of the scriptures concerning what the Prophets and the scriptures had foretold about his death and resurrection, they did not recognise Jesus until he broke bread with them after they insisted that he stayed with them....

In John chapter 21 verses 1 to 14, Jesus  gave his disciples specific instructions by the sea of Galilee which led to a mega successful catch after they had had a fruitless frustrating fishing expedition throughout the previous night. They only recognised him after they obeyed his instruction to throw the net into the right side of the boat. ..

You will note that although each of the scenarios above were different it was the same risen Jesus. 

The Lord Jesus still speaks to us today in different ways. Sometimes you will only recognise him when he calls you by name to attract your attention even though he has been speaking to you all along but you did not recognise him because you were too preoccupied with other things. This was the case with Mary. 

He may even be speaking to you through your fellowship with other Christians as you discus godly things but if there is lack of understanding or spiritual knowledge about what you are discussing you will not recognise him unless The Lord by his Spirit reveals his word to you, and you accept this by faith.  

You will also recognise him if you are diligent and ask him to stay with you as you seek to remain in his presence for a longer period determined to remain in his presence just as the disciples on the road to Emmaus did.  With them, though their hearts pricked them as he explained the scriptures to them, they only recognised him after he broke the bread and gave it to them. The bread represents his body. Jesus is the bread of life. He is also the Word of God. We need to partake of him through his word to be able to recognise him. 

He may also reveal himself through his direct instruction to you concerning a situation where you have tried so hard to resolve your own way. But when stop to listen and obey what he is saying to you, you will receive a lot more than what you were looking for just like the disciples on that day. Jesus not only provided for them in abundance, but also cooked and invited them to breakfast! 

 

The disciples knew it was Jesus they were having breakfast with as this was evident by the way He turned their sad situation around because he had done it for them before. 

There may be times when you need to remember what God has done for you before when you were in a similar situation. You must then stop and listen to him to hear what he is specifically saying to you about the situation you are now in, knowing that he that helped you before, is faithful to help you again if you obey his instructions. 

Let us learn to recognise him always as he has promised that he will be with us always. 

 

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 AMP).

 

Shalom (Peace be to you)