Right Before Your Eyes
Doug and I are empty nesters and watch a lot of shows together. Inevitably we see someone we recognize; a face or voice tips one of us off and we’re pointing to the screen. We rack our brains to remember which feature we saw the actor before. It becomes a race only confirmed by an online search. There is satisfaction in being the first one to figure out exactly who the person is.
What is it about remembering a face, a song, a smell that triggers our memory? Neural pathways open up and make it possible as our recognition increases our awareness and helps us to see clearly. After Jesus resurrected from the dead, Mary Magdalene and the other disciples did not immediately realize that Jesus stood next to them as they were distracted by their grief, fears and bewilderment.
In Mary’s grief outside the empty tomb, she struggled to see Jesus standing before her until he called her name. This allowed her to take in the miracle.
Jesus appeared and walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He revealed the meaning of the Scriptures and their hearts burned with recognition. After breaking bread with them, their eyes were opened and they beheld their Messiah.
Through locked doors, Jesus stood, offering the disciples peace. Come close, touch my wounds and believe. Their doubt and fear transformed into belief and trust. When Thomas saw and touched Jesus’ wounds, he could apprehend the reality of Jesus’ resurrection.
On the shore of the Sea of Tiberius, Jesus waited. “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” He instructs them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. In the abundance of the fish, the Beloved Disciple recognized Jesus first and told Peter who immediately “jumped into the sea.”
There were no requirements necessary, just a turning, a looking up, a willingness to see and believe and to get a little wet.
And so it is for us. Despite our grief, fears, doubt, confusion, hesitancies, Jesus appears. Consider that he even appeared to Peter who denied his relationship with him more than once.
First to Mary Magdalene, a woman. Apostle to the Apostles. Then to his disciples. Turn around, look up, touch, come to shore and believe.
There is nothing we have to do to prepare for this daily encounter, except to receive it, to listen to him say our name, offer us peace and respond with open hearts, receiving the Spirit. God comes to us as we are, where we are. Turn around, look up and touch him. Jump into the sea and join him.
