A WAY TO RECOGNIZE THE RISEN JESUS
(Text: John 2010-18; Luke
24:13-35, esp 30,32-35)
Background:
A number of times the risen Jesus was not
recognized. Before he was handed to the
religious leaders, Jesus himself foretold about his arrest, death, burial and
resurrection to the disciples. When the events took place in a real life( in
history), the followers of Jesus failed to understand from the Scriptures that
Jesus had to rise from the death.
I.
The PROBLEM
The
problem lies at the bottom line that the risen Jesus was not recognized. What
could be the reason that prevents Jesus from recognizing him. It could be that
(1) Jesus’ resurrected body may look different
Nowhere in the Scripture is
mentioned about the different look or appearance of the resurrected body.
(2) Jesus may prevent himself from recognization
Jesus used to deal with his
disciples in a normal-formal way, not in a mysterious way. Even after his
resurrection, it is reasonable that Jesus who loves his disciples would not
choose an unrecognizable way for communication.
(3)
The preoccupied
circumstances in the life of the disciples could have blocked their eyes and
ears to recognize their risen Lord Jesus Christ. The disciples were preoccupied with fear,
uncertainty, and insecurity. They might have an excessive concern with loss of
hope due to the terrible death of their Lord.
Mary at the tomb saw Jesus and heard his voice. As she was preoccupied
with an idea that Jesus’s body was taken away by an unknown person, Mary’s ear
and eyes did not realize the risen Jesus. In a face to face contact, Mary
failed to see the reality. Likewise, Peter and the other disciple left the tomb
with an empty heart. In the same manner, on the road to Emmaus, the two
disciples conversed with Jesus himself throughout the journey. Since they were
preoccupied with what had happened in Jerusalem, they were delayed to see the
fulfillment of the Scriptures concerning the risen Jesus Christ.
Applications:
(1)
In times of war and financial crisis, there are people filled with fear
and insecurity which cover their eyes and ears to see and hear the power of the
risen Jesus. In this preoccupied situation they cannot recognize Jesus’s love
in a post-modern conversation, which just raises situational quaries
(questions), as “ Woman, why are you crying? Who is it that you are looking
for?” This kind of situational highlighting questions is normally asked by
people. ( Jn. 20:13). The people with fear and insecurity need a deeper voice
which they know is a personal, individual to their present context.
(2)
As Christians there are times we are so preoccupied with ministry,
vision, plan, achievements and methodologies that we cannot recognize the voice of the risen Jesus even
in a face to face encounter with him.
II.
The SOLUTION
When Jesus in relating
himself to their current situation came to know his new way of communication to
Mary and the two disciples did not work out to make them recognize him (Luke
24:17,19,25 etc), he used a normal-formal way of communication which was so much
relevently contextual to the preoccupied disciples. To Mary Jesus called, “Mary.”
It is the name so personal and the voice so familier to her. Now Mary
recognized Jesus, responding him, “Rabboni.” In fact, there is a link between the
name and the voice, the one who calls and the one who is called. The one who is
called has responded.
In another encounter, only
when Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke and gave it to the disciples, they
began to recognize him. Jesus’ action rather then his historical sermon makes a
contextual realization for his disciples.
Applications:
(1)
In this Age of Knowledge, and in the broken world, Jesus and his love
can be more meaningfully realized when the Living Bread is contextually made to
become the daily bread for the hungry and thirsty children of the earth, and
when the power of the risen Jesus is contextually transformed into the
socio-economic and political security of the insecured, marginalized and
oppressed people.
(2)
As we are carrying out the great commission of our risen Lord, let us
remember that Jesus called Mary in
person in her personal name. Jesus’ calling is very secure for Mary who is
crying. Let us also take heed that Jesus
a.
TOOK bread, (where are the breads now?)
b.
GAVE thanks (for the glory of God, great Provider )
c.
BROKE it, and (multiplication of bread)
d.
GAVE them. (the actual feeding,
the daily bread reaches to the hungry)
Conclusion: (the enlightenment)
(1)
Mary testified the risen Lord (Jn. 20: 18)
(2)
The two disciples who were going away returned back to Jesusalem
testifying the risen Lord (Luke 24: 32,33-35)
(3)
..........................
(A short meditation by Rev.
Gospel Hrilvelthanga
Morning Watch, Friday
29/4/2011 6:30 am KLBC).
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