Recognizing Jesus

      It was a Sunday afternoon when the two men walked the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. All hope had been shattered on Friday. The one they thought was the Messiah had died. But some women had told them the tomb was empty and angels had said He was alive.

      As they walked a man joined them. Luke 24:15-16 says, “Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him” (ESV).

      This reminded me of a couple of conversations I have had online. In one, I was told how every generation reads the Bible to justify their worldview and outlook on life. In another, I was told Jesus was far more post-modern than I seemed to believe. I remembered it wasn’t too many years ago I was told Jesus was the quintessential modernist—light years ahead of His time.

      It really is true. We easily see Jesus as being just one of us. We can read the New Testament to see Jesus in just about any light we want. To some He was the quintessential Renaissance man. To our grandparents’ generation He was the example of hard work and industry. To our parents’ generation He was the iconoclast rebel. To some He was a philosopher of philosophers.  To others He was the first feminist. He was a modernist before there was modernism. And now He is post-modern pre-post-modernism. To some He is all inclusive. To others He is elitist. Each race pictures Him as one of their own. And every group is convinced they have finally seen the real Jesus.

      Jesus was right beside these travelers and they didn’t recognize Him. I worry about us. With all the pictures of Jesus out there, do we recognize Him when He is standing right in front of us?

      Romans 10:6-8 points out we do not have to ascend into heaven to bring Christ down or into the abyss to raise Christ from the dead. Rather, the word is near us. We can meet Jesus in the Word.

      Sadly, we too often want to meet the Jesus who will fit in today instead of the Jesus who stood out 2000 years ago. We have to make sure our eyes are not blinded to the real Jesus who stands out in front of us through the Word. I imagine He won’t be a philosopher, an iconoclast, a modernist, feminist or post-modernist. He is going to be just Jesus.

      I know that is not as spectacular and shocking. Many people won’t have any use for Him, thinking He is boring and downright foolish. However, to those who believe on Him, He will be the power of God unto salvation.

      Don’t take my word about the real Jesus. Meet Him for yourself. Get in the Bible. Take off your societal glasses and get to know Jesus. Why not start today?

Edwin L. Crozier