They were kept from recognizing him. (Luke 24:16)
Two downcast disciples walked and talked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, but they did not recognize Him. Surely they ought to have known who they were in the presence of, but we read that they did not recognize Him. This is the case for all of us; we experience times when we are kept from recognizing Him.
Beloved, does that statement resonate with you today? We all experience seasons where it is difficult to recognize our Redeemer. Whether it is because we have a divided heart that leads us to chase after smaller gods, or we are distracted by the cares of this world, or sin has separated us from our abiding sense of His presence, recognizing our Redeemer sometimes seems as far as the east is from the west. Even when we are attending to our religious devotions and duties, we can find it hard to recognize our Redeemer. In the sanctuary during corporate worship, we recognize Him not. In our quiet time, alone in our prayer closet, we recognize Him not. In our Bible study, we read on without recognizing our Redeemer. We hear His call and we know His voice, yet we sound much like Job, crying out, “Oh, that I knew where I might find Him!” (Job 23:1).
This is the experience of every disciple of Jesus. We are still sinners in need of a Savior after we have been saved. As I’ve often said here, sin no longer reigns, but it certainly does remain; and in our sinful wandering, there are those times when we find it hard to recognize our Redeemer.
Our unbelief blinds us, just as it did the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They never expected to see Jesus alive again. They had witnessed the crucifixion when He breathed His last. The saw the Roman soldier thrust the spear through His side. They had lost all hope because they forgot the promise. Jesus told them all, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me” (John 16:16). He predicted His third-day resurrection on more than one occasion. And, true to His Word, Jesus walked out of the tomb on that first Easter morning.
So if Jesus has walked out of the tomb and into your heart, pause and pray: “Lord, open my spiritual eyes that I might see you in all things.” Remember, because Jesus promised never to leave nor forsake us, we are to recognize our Redeemer when the sky is blue and the clouds are fleecy . . . as well as when dark, forbidding clouds obscure the light and the storm winds blow. Fix your gaze upon the Author and Perfecter of your faith, knowing that one day soon you will have an unobstructed view of your Lord. You will recognize Him and know Him as He is!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 