16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 24:15–16.
The spiritual journey we are embarking on is one where we recognise Jesus as He is now, not from the Gospels, nor from the Epistles, but who He is now, Ascended Lord. However, from the verse quoted above there is a purposeful blinding of the recognition of Jesus here. This blinding is because they need to walk through the Word, Scriptures which speak directly and clearly into the whole crucifixion scenario.
I believe right now we need a temporary embargo on comprehension because what we judge cannot be within the senses, we need to apprehend and comprehend the truth via our spirit. For this reason they exclaim “did not our hearts burn within us when He explained the Scriptures?” Jesus needs to be comprehended not depending as Thomas did, as he exclaimed he would not believe until he touched Jesus’ wounds. This is a sensory level, and Jesus desires to be comprehended via our spirit to His Spirit. This happens through the Sacraments of the Church, and through prayer and study of His Word. So what we see here is a process which starts with them not recognising Jesus, their eyes were holden. The power of holding their eyes is the same that opens them. There is also purpose as to why they are held from recognition. Jesus is taking these two disciples to another place spiritually.
The Christian life is made up of walking in constant beholding and recognition of Christ, but He will not be recognised unless we make this pursuit not to depend on our senses to take us to the next level.
They suggest that the man “Jesus of Nazareth” was a prophet, so their vision was too low. They need to grasp the Jesus that overcome death. For this the first stage in this process is to see what they are walking out is the fulfilment of Scripture, and none of what they are experiencing is by chance, nor is God caught out. He is right there in the centre, ready to take us through His Word to start to behold His purpose. Then we can be led to the covenant table and then to see Him as He is. This we will walk out in this series.
When we are experiencing our senses suspended by the invisible Hand then we know we are projected purpose on the way to recognise Him. Let us submit to this process.
Maranatha!
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