Friday, September 4, 2020 -
In Luke 24:16 we find that clip us and his companion both avid followers of Jesus, “were prevented from recognizing Him” when Jesus approached them on the way to Emmaus. They proceeded to explain to Jesus how disappointed they were that this “prophet mighty in deed and word“ would be crucified. “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel“ they confessed. Jesus said it was necessary “for the Christ to suffer these things to enter into His glory.“ And HE proceeded to explain To them all things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. It wasn’t until Jesus accepted their invitation to stay with them, that their eyes were opened and at that moment, He suddenly disappeared and then reappeared in the midst of the disciples.
But why would you be prevented from recognizing Jesus until He blessed the bread and passed it out to them? A clue is found in the only other gospel account of this incident, which, Instead of 22 verses, is only one verse. We are told in Mark 16:12 after Jesus had appeared first to Mary Magdalene, that “He appeared in a different form to two of them, while they were walking on the way to the country.”
Christ spoke about His coming in the Glory of His Father with the Holy Angels (Mark 8:28). We usually associate this with his second coming, when we, too, will be resurrected as he was, and we will put on “imperishable bodies” (1 Corinthians 15:52) Paul goes on to say “we shall be changed.“ Our bodies will be imperishable – – think on that!
However, Christ’s resurrection happened three days after His crucifixion, and at that time He was changed as we will be changed. Was this the “different form“ He took on as Mark describes in Mark 16:12? A preview of Christ’s resurrected body was provided to Peter, John, and James at His “transfiguration.“ This means a change of appearance. Here, the appearance of His face became different“ (Luke 9:29). But this was a preview of Christ in ALL of His glory. Perhaps, He had a different appearance, or form, on the road to Emmaus, but no doubt without the shining, brilliant clothing He had at the transfiguration.
And so, as He was changed, so shall we be changed and “will shine brightly like the brightness of the expense of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever “(Daniel 12:3)!