"At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus" (John 20:14).
Mary of Magdala was one of the women who found that the tomb was empty after Jesus had risen from the dead. John tenderly records the story of her crying outside the tomb. Angels speak to her then she turns to see a man she assumes is the gardener.
Jesus was right there, "but she did not realize that it was Jesus."
Later, after Jesus had made a number of appearances to the disciples, John tells of a time, when Peter decided to go fishing. Thomas, Nathanael, James, John and two other disciples went with him. They fished all night without catching a thing.
"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus" (John 21:4).
The words that John repeated in these two stories caught in my mind. How often, I wonder, is Jesus with us -- right beside us or calling to us from the shore-- but we don't realize that it is Him?
Through the Holy Spirit, God is always with us. Constantly, the Holy Spirit is teaching us, reminding us of the things that Jesus said, counseling and comforting us.
We, in turn, need to train ourselves to recognize His voice and pray that God will open our eyes that we may see and understand.
When Jesus called her name, Mary knew that it was Him. (John 20:16)
When the fishermen's nets were filled with a miraculous catch of fish after following Jesus' instructions, they knew that it was Him. (John 21:7)
Jesus is with you. He is calling your name.
The promise that Jesus made his disciples extends to us, "And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
~Thank You for Your presence in my life Jesus; help me to realize You are always with me.
Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation
at 8:04 AM CDT
