needed: risen sight
"They were restrained from recognizing Him." —Luke 24:16
Everyone recognized Lazarus when he emerged from his tomb after being dead four days (Jn 12:10-11). Yet Jesus was largely unrecognized when He emerged from His tomb on Easter morning (Lk 24:16, 37; Jn 20:15; 21:4). Jesus was "completely changed in appearance" (Mk 16:12).
One possible explanation for this is that Jesus didn't just enter the tomb as a dead man and then come back out again alive, as did Lazarus. Jesus journeyed through death to the other side, to risen life. Jesus was marvelously transformed (see 1 Cor 15:42-44). He entered death like a seed, and emerged like a tree, in risen form. He appears as a risen Man, in a transformed, resurrected body!
The disciples could no longer experience the life of Jesus that they had known before His crucifixion and death. Now Jesus' disciples, and all of us today, need to meet Jesus in His new, risen life. Jesus is risen! He is transformed. "The old order has passed away; now all is new!" (2 Cor 5:17)
Come to know Jesus risen. Ask Jesus to raise you up to meet Him in His risen glory. Renew your Baptism. Die with Christ and let His risen life flow through you. Know Jesus risen!
Prayer: Father, "I want to see" with risen eyes (Lk 18:41). "I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from His resurrection" (Phil 3:10).
Promise: "The Lord has been raised! It is true!" —Lk 24:34
Praise: Alleluia! "Give thanks to the Lord, invoke His name" (Ps 105:1). Praise Jesus, "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11:25). Alleluia!
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching, order our Risen Life series of tapes starting with Meeting the Risen Christ, a set of seven audio tapes starting with AV 4A-1 or a two-set series of video tapes starting with V-4A.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 31, 2011
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