Three Stories of Spiritual Eye Opening
I. The Walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-31) (NRSVCE)
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.
II. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-16 )
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew,“Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).
III. Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples (John 21:4-12)
4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. 9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord.
Three stories exhibit that Jesus revealed Himself not in the same physical appearance but in many forms; as an ordinary journeyer, as a gardener, and as a fisherman. There’s no reason why those very close to Jesus could not recognize Him by their naked eyes if Jesus showed Himself as He is while He is their teacher before He died. But when they remembered His teachings and recognized His works in those three forms, instantly their spiritual eyes were opened.
The pilgrims to Emmaus recognized Jesus after they were refreshed of the Scripture about Jesus beginning from Moses and after He broke the bread in front of them. Mary Magdalene remembered His teaching that the Lord called His sheep by their names. (John 10:3-4). The same with the seven disciples. They recalled the early stage when Jesus instructed them to throw the net and filled the net with fish. (Luke 5:4-6)
Now, in our times, Jesus is still showing Himself in many forms. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, “… And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus Christ is with us. If we have not recognize Him yet because He obviously comes in many forms, it is now time to study the Holy Scriptures specially the Gospel of the Lord so that we can relate to Him by remembering what He had said and recognize His works. That is how our spiritual eyes would be opened, remember His teaching and know what He had done. Our naked eye need the instrument to see Jesus, and the Holy Gospel is the instrument.
But don’t worry, when Jesus is revealed in the last day, we will be like Jesus, we will see Him as he is. (1 John 3:2) What matter now is that we are sure that our spiritual eyes are opened. See and experience Jesus Christ daily though His works in others and His very own work in you. He is alive in us. Do you know that Christ is living in you? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
To GOD Almighty, Jesus Christ our Savior, in the unity of the Holy Spirit be the glory, AMEN.
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