Recognising Christ

A puzzling feature of most of the appearances of the risen Jesus is the lack of recognition. Even in the account of Jesus's commissioning of the disciples at his ascension, we read, "When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted." (Mat 28:17) When Jesus appears to Paul as he travels to Damascus to arrest Christians, Paul sees a blinding light and hears a voice. "Who are you, Lord?" he asks. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," is the reply. (Acts 9:5) In these appearances of Jesus we need to be aware of two things. Firstly, all the appearances are of a physical nature. They are not immaterial visions. The resurrection of Jesus was a physical resurrection; and, only a physical resurrection could justify the subsequent adoration of Jesus. Secondly, the physical nature of Jesus has changed - he has not just been resuscitated. Maybe it is this feature that causes the disciples puzzlement. The physical nature is that of the "new heavens and new earth". (2 Pet 3:13, Rev 21:1) In his 1st letter to the church at Corinth, Paul attempts to explain something of the quality of this new order. (1 Cor 15:35-58) Read it through. Blessings, Max.