Recognizing Jesus in Disguise

Recognizing Jesus in Disguise

TEXT: JOHN 20:1-18

REFERENCES: LUKE 24:13-35, John 21:1-14, 1John 4:7-21, Matthew 25:40-46, 1Corinthians 13:1-13, John 15:12-13, Philippians 2:3, 1Peter 4:8

Recognition is simply identification and this may or may not require a process because it is a function of the human mind. Everyone is well endowed with the ability to recognize people, Places or anything especially if he or she has had an encounter with them. Naturally, when encounter with anyone or place or thing is repeated it can be said to be regular or familiar and then the person involve should never have a problem with recognition. However there is a neurological problem called "Prosopagnosia" which is: Facial blindness and also known as "Facial Agnosia". When the brain developed such problem the person in question is said to hardly recognize anything, anywhere, or anybody despite the number of times he or she has encountered them. As a natural disorder, there are people with simple problem of recognition. This is behavioral and thereby not stable for it comes as a result of old age, influence of alcohol or other substances, anger and so many other psychological behavioral reasons. Never mind, people with this problem can recognize people, place or thing when they are back to a stable state of mind. With this simple illustration, what can you make out from our text as regards the fact that the disciples could not recognize Jesus when appeared to them after His resurrection? They have been with him for years, dined and wined with him before his death yet could not recognize him after His resurrection just after three days. Do you think the disciples all have Prosopagnosia or Facial Agnosia? I don't think so; though most readers when they come across this in Luke 24:16, may believe that Jesus hindered them from recognizing Him. Well, if that be the case what about the scenario between Jesus after resurrection with Mary Magdalene in John 20:1-18 or the case of Peter and the others at the shores of Sea of Tiberius in John 21:1-13? I leave you to ponder about this while I make my point of this sermon. The stories in the Bible are all masterpiece to anyone who can see through them and this is because they provide us with the background to which we can trace the problems of our today Church/Christians/Believers. See! As the disciples who have been with Jesus till his death could not recognize Him when he appeared to them after resurrection, so are we today. We know Jesus no doubt; we serve Him, praise Him, pray to Him, study Him, preach, evangelize and carry his name about as a trademark yet can hardly recognize Him when he appears to us in disguise. Yes Jesus always appears to us but we hardly recognize Him. See what He said about Himself as God: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1John 4:7-8) Jesus in disguise is Love. Have you encountered Him? Did you recognize Him? Yes He is either that neighbor you vow never to give anything or that beggar you come by everyday and instead of giving, you spittle. He could be the needy you overlook, the homeless you consciously refused to shelter, the prisoners you never visited, and the hospitalized patients you never cared about, the unclothed you never covered.

He is everywhere, in the church, your village, working place, everywhere you can know though He appears in Disguise. See what He said in Matthew 25:40-40 "The King will reply, ’Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ The message of Easter is the center of our faith and that message is love. If God had not loved us as He did, Jesus wouldn't be John 3:16, Love is the ultimate 1Corinthians 13:1-13, it's the greatest Commandment Matthew 22:37-39, John 14:15. Child of God, I pray that your eyes of understanding open today as you celebrate the resurrection that you will recognize your Jesus though in disguise of who you hate or care less about. Move around today, share and show love to all and don't stop doing it for this is power itself.

Happy Easter!

I love you!