One of the curious things about the resurrection narratives in the gospels is how people recognized the Risen Christ. It was never by his physical appearance. Whatever sort of body the resurrected Jesus had, it in some way transcended superficial appearances. The disciples on the Emmaus road spent all afternoon with him and only realized who he was when he broke bread with them. This anonymous disciple whom Jesus loved, who is mentioned in the Gospel of John, didn’t have to see him at all to believe. He believed when he saw what was not. And Mary Magdalene? She recognized him only when he spoke her name. Everyone recognized the incarnate Christ – Jesus the teacher, wandering through Galilee – the way we normally recognize people, by appearance and voice and so on. But everyone experienced the Risen Christ uniquely.
Sermon Notes