The two disciples walking to Emmaus knew Jesus well, but they didn't recognize him when he joined them. The resurrected Christ even discussed the Scriptures with them, but they still did not identify him until he joined them for the evening meal. Then he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Maybe they saw nail scars in his hands and then were stunned to realize who he was. Following the resurrection, there were several times when Jesus wasn't recognized. Mary Magdalene thought he was the gardener (john 20:14,15). The disciples, fishing on the lake, thought the man calling from the shore was a stranger (John 21:4). Some of the disciples doubted even when they saw Jesus on the mountain (Matthew 28:16,17).
Apparently there was something significantly different about Jesus' resurrected body. He did some things after the resurrection he did not do before, like instantly appearing behind locked doors. But his body was still a physical body. "Touch me and see," he said. "A ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have" (Luke 24:39). Jesus is a prototype of what will happen to us when we die. He's "the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). Just as Jesus' spirit departed his body, so when we die, our spirits depart our bodies and move into the presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:8). Just as Jesus' spirit later returned to resurrect his body, so our bodies will be raised from the dead (John 5:28, 29). Just as Jesus' body was transformed into a new resurrected body, so "we will all be changed-in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:51,52). Our resurrected bodies will be dramatically different, praise God! They will be immortal and free from pain and disease. When I lived in Minnesota I went for a walk one January morning when the temperature was below zero. I bundled up in a heavy jacket, a scarf, and a wool hat. A few blocks from my house, I passed a man similarly dressed who were also out for his early morning exercise. As I walk past, I thought, That man bears a little resemblance to Dave. Dave lived nearby. "Dave Is that you?" I asked. Dave stopped and laughed, "Paul, is that you?" Though we had known each other for ten years, we hadn't recognized each other in the strange clothing that cold morning. In Heaven, if our new glorified minds can't immediately discern who others are, we might have to identify ourselves since we'll be so different. But I'm confident we won't mind. We'll be overjoyed to greet one another in that perfect setting. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). Consider I. Does the promise of the future resurrection and transformation of your body bring you hope? How does it affect your daily life? 2. What persons do you most look forward to seeing in Heaven? Pastor Paul Leavens