In their various encounters with Jesus after the resurrection, the disciples didn’t easily recognize Jesus. When he showed up, he had to do something to open their eyes. Revealing his wounds, speaking a specific command, saying a name, breaking bread—they could not recognize him until he revealed himself. If you read the stories in succession, it is difficult to miss the point—unless Jesus takes the initiative, no one knows who he is.
Another weird aspect of these appearances is that Jesus doesn’t stick around. He shows up, reveals himself, then leaves. The longest meeting, when he came to where the disciples were fishing (John 21), seems to have only lasted for an hour or so. Long enough to cook fish over a fire and have a short conversation with Peter and John, but not much more.
From a historical standpoint, it is clear that Jesus’ appearance was changed after the resurrection, so much so that the disciples didn’t initially recognize him. But from a pastoral standpoint, these passages teach the church something profound: We cannot recognize Jesus unless he opens our eyes, and we can’t make our experiences of him last forever.
The appearance of Jesus to the disciples on the road to Emmaus is particularly instructive. As Jesus explained the Scriptures, the hearts of the two were burning within them. The testimony in Scripture about the Messiah lit a fire inside them—it prepared the way for the revealing. Scripture, interpreted as pointing to Jesus, opens our hearts. And then, in the breaking of bread, Jesus suddenly became clear. It is true that other disciples recognized in other ways—Thomas saw the wounds, John heard the command, “Throw the nets on the other side,” Mary Magdalene only needed to hear her name—but these are all personal, rather than formulaic. We shouldn’t expect Jesus to open each of our eyes in the same way. But to the disciples walking to Emmaus, the regular pattern is given, and it is the pattern the Church adheres to: In the proclamation of the Scriptures, specifically as we ask, “What do they say about Jesus?” combined with the breaking of the bread, Jesus makes himself known as he pleases.
We cannot force him to reveal himself to us; and we cannot force him to stick around as long as we want. Momentary epiphanies are gifts, but not the norm. In other words, he is in charge, and recognizing him anew is a gift that cannot be compelled. But we can place ourselves where he tends to reveal himself, if we hope to see him anew. We can immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, looking for Jesus on every page, and we can participate with the church in the breaking of bread, expecting to see Jesus there.
It may not be often. It may not be what we expect. It may not last as long as we wish. We walk, after all, by faith, not by sight. But Jesus does make himself known, and he will open our eyes. And so, turn to the Scriptures, looking for Jesus, and come to the breaking of bread, expecting to see him. Let your heart burn with desire for his unveiling.
Steven+