Help recognizing Jesus - a time for everything *

NORSK
Sometimes I need help recognizing Jesus, and sometimes I've been able to help others.

When I read the story about the seven disciples who decided to go out and fish on the Sea of Galilee without catching anything, it is hard to understand that they do not recognize the man who asks them to throw the net on the right side of the boat. Even when the catch is too big to haul, it is only John who draws the conclusion and tells Peter:

“It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
John 21:7

There is an important lesson in this little event. Peter longed to be with Jesus, and therefore he should probably have recognized him, but fortunately it was enough that John confirmed what I think Peter might at least have hoped and believed in his heart: "It may be Jesus there on the beach, or…?"

It is important for us believers to confirm the presence of Jesus when we are together. Often it is so easy to get busy with the mission and the dealings with all the matters at hand that we become blind, and do not see Jesus in our midst. He is there all the time and we have to help each other recognize him.

‘Manna’ for today:

Where there are disciples, Jesus is always present.

--------------------------------------
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.

A happiness created for rest - a time for everything *

NORSK
Before I leave the story about how Thomas recognized Jesus as risen from the dead, I will make yet another reflection. Thomas saw Jesus, and I think that he also recognized that Jesus had seen him, when he proclaimed:

“My Lord and my God!”

Jesus' response contains important teaching:

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:28-29  

Many attempts have been made to give a good definition of what it means to be ‘blessed’. When I experience a calm and restful happiness, I will define myself as blessed. I know that kind of happiness every time I sense that the Kingdom of God works in accordance with how the Bible says it should work.

When this happens, Jesus, who is not physically visible, becomes real and ‘visible’ in the presence this unique blessing. I do not see, but I still see with the eyes of faith, which confirm that what I see, is Jesus in action in my time. It gives me a happiness created for rest.

Today's 'manna':

I recognize Jesus in a happiness created for rest

--------------------------------------------
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 
 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.

Hope for those doubting! - a time for everything *

NORSK
Yesterday I read how Tomas had challenged the absent Jesus in front of his friends. Eight days later, the challenge came back to Tomas in the presence of the same group:

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:27

I think I would had felt some embarrassment if it had happened to me. However, at the same time I would have been happy:
“Jesus heard me in spite of my disbelief!”
It is also a confirmation of the fact that Jesus cares about the individual. A personal meeting took place in the middle of the crowd. He saw “me”!
 
Perhaps the experience of being seen by him is more important than seeing “him”?

This 'thought' must not be interpreted as though I am opposed to seeking the presence of the Lord to 'see' him. It is important for me and all who believe to do so. Nonetheless, seeing him must have a consequence. It was the lack of obvious consequences of their faith that made Tomas doubt the disciples’ testimony about the risen Jesus (1).

May be John included the story of Tomas to show that it was not only John himself who felt that he was “the disciple Jesus loved” or the “disciple Jesus saw” – Thomas must have felt that way too. And that is how it should be - particularly for those who struggle to believe. Jesus loves them just as much as they who feel affirmed in their faith.

‘Manna’ for today:

Jesus loves all who are honest - also with regard to doubting and believing.

------------------------------------
(1) See: “Think afresh? A time for everything”
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.

The discovery of the heart - a time for everything*

NORSK
The most exciting discovery of the two disciples in Emmaus, was not that they recognised Jesus when he broke the bread and their eyes were opened, but that they immediately reflected on something else of what they had experienced:

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:32

There is something special about the inner affirmation. I think many Christians can identify with the description of how the heart was burning in presence of Jesus. When the heart is burning, and we recognize this 'feeling’ from previous experiences in the presence of Jesus, we do not need to see or hear anything as long as what we are experiencing is related to the ‘open Scriptures’.

The link to the open Scriptures is an important reminder, simply because an infatuation also can cause our hearts to burn. This has led to a lot of misery in situations where those involved have not been able to distinguish the two 'fires' from one another, and spiritual arguments have been used to satisfy human desire. This can lead to abuse of both spiritual and physical character.

It is an essential part of discipleship training to discern which is which of these signals and be sober so that we recognize the real Jesus. This is the third reflection about recognition – there will be more.

‘Manna’ for today:

My heart can help me recognising Jesus

-------------------------------------------------- 
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity'
 Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.

What he does! - a time for everything*

NORSK
The two men walking on the road to Emmaus did not recognize him as he joined them and became their traveling companion. They did not recognize him when they talked to him about Jesus. There may be several reasons for this. When I walk towards a destination, my eyes will dwell on the road and not on my companions.

If it's someone I know well, I may still recognize their voices.

Maria did only recognize his voice when he uttered her name. There is nothing in the Emmaus story that indicates that Jesus called their names and thus revealed that he knew them.

Yet they recognized him again in the end:

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
Luke 24:30-31

They recognized him because of what he did. I do not know when they had seen Jesus giving thanks and breaking the bread. Maybe it was when he fed 5,000? Or maybe it was in a smaller group? That Jesus suddenly disappeared when 'their eyes were opened', confirms the theory I presented yesterday that Jesus used it as a practical recognition exercise. This is the second example of sudden recognition, and I will dwell in the Emmaus story for another day.

‘Manna’ for today:

Even today, Jesus is recognized for what he does through his followers.

-------------------------------------
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity'
 Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.

Recognition (1) - a time for everything*

NORSK
It is very interesting to notice that many of those who saw Jesus after the resurrection did not recognize him at first. They needed time to understand that it was Jesus.

In the course of the next few days I will reflect on a few examples of these ‘revelations’ or ‘discoveries’. It is an easy choice to start with Maria. There was a time when she did not recognize him, and then all of a sudden came an affirmation:

“…she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”
John 20:14-16

Maria recognized him in the way he called her name. There is a ‘flavour’ of something prophetic by recognizing him in the way he calls us by our names. Isaiah prophesied to the people of Israel:

I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1b

Why was this an important part of Jesus' teaching in the 40 days he had at his disposal?

I think it was important for the resurrected Jesus that the believers eventually would discover him in one another. Therefore, he practically 'trained' them to recognise him so that they would recognise him in revealed in his future body – the church. This is my simple belief, and several examples will follow.

‘Manna’ for today:

I know him in the way he calls me.

----------------------------------
(1) The illustration in the logo of the label “His Master's Voice” is the dog 'Nipper' listening to his master’s voice. 
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity'
 Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.