08/16/2023
Would you recognize the voice of Jesus if you heard it? If He called your name would you know it was Him who was speaking to you? Sometimes there is no doubt, but many times we do not recognize Him. What if He came to you without your knowing, and in an instant He revealed all the moments in which He had previously come to you in your life, then you would most certainly recognize His voice, and know who was speaking to you.
“Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).”
John 20:14-16 ESV
Mary was distraught at the tomb because she presumed that the body of Jesus had been taken. She was looking for a corpse, and even when Jesus appeared to her she didn't know it was Him. So He spoke to her, and she still didn't recognize His voice... but when He called her by name she knew Him; in that instant her familiarity with Him was restored.
Mary had been with Jesus and would have recognized His appearance and known His voice, but if she did not recognize Him instantly it begs the question... would you... or would I? We haven't physically sat at the feet of Jesus for days on end while He taught, we haven't washed His feet, or listened to Him converse with the apostles as we served them their meals, but Mary had; so what hope do we have of identifying Him?
There is no painting, sketch, or bust of Jesus, and we don't have a DVD, CD, or any other recording of His voice... so how will we know Him? We will know Him when He calls our name, and reveals Himself to us. This realization of who He is won't occur because we recognize His face or the sound of His voice, but by His divine revelation of Himself. Perhaps when he shows us His wounds like He did His apostles in the upper room, and Thomas (who had not been there) as He doubted…
“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”
John 19: 19-20 ESV
“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20: 26-28
This same scenario played itself out on the road to Emmaus just as it did with Mary. The two disciples had been walking and talking with Jesus for some time, but it wasn't until He broke bread and prayed with them that they knew it was Him. At that moment Jesus revealed Himself.
“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.”
Luke 24:30-31 ESV
The appearance and sound of Jesus' voice is not what is important; if it were then paintings would have been made and passed down through the ages. What is paramount is our relationship and interaction with Him. So I ask again... would you recognize Him if He came to you... would I? What will He show us that will open our eyes to who He is?
So often we don't immediately know when Jesus is active in our lives. We look back on certain events and suddenly realize it had been Him. There have been moments in my life when He was dealing with me and I was totally unaware. The Bible tells us this about angels as well...
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Hebrews 13:2 ESV
I have written before about a beggar I met years ago in front of a downtown jewelry store in Nashville, Tennessee. It wasn't until the incident was over that I realized I had mistreated, and spurned, Jesus. Listen again to the account...
"The week before Christmas in 1978, I met my wife on Church Street in downtown Nashville for lunch. Afterward, we were standing outside a jewelry store looking at rings, necklaces and other fine items through the display window. A man dressed in rags came up to us asking for spare change... and I told him no and to leave us alone. A couple of minutes later he came up to us again and begged us for some money because he was hungry... and I told him that I had nothing for him and to be gone. Then, not moments later he came up a third time and in a pleading voice asked in desperation once more for change. I told him harshly that if he bothered us again I would thrash him... and he left. I have thought of that man over and over during the many years Ann and I have been married. I am ashamed of my response, and I can tell you that I believe to this day I turned away Christ on that cold December day." - On The Streets: Placing Jesus First, 3/24/2017
When Jesus comes into our lives He comes as a teacher, a Rabbi, and the lessons can often be hard ones. My lesson in front of the Jewelry store was a particularly harsh one for me. When Jesus calls my name I pray that I will know Him by what happened that day... and I will fall to my knees. What will He show you in the moment of His revelation? Do you even know? Will it be a surprise? Will you remember the lesson fondly, or in embarrassment and remorse?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the revelation of your Son Jesus Christ in my life. I thank you for the lessons He has taught me about you, faith, and myself. Holy Father I especially thank you for the painful lessons that showed me the most shockingly human side of who I am, and allowed me to deal with it. I am the clay in your hand and I submit myself to the potter's wheel... your hand is firm but gentle as you manipulate my character and smooth the edges. Father I yearn for the day when you will look on me with satisfaction, place your mark on me, and fire me in the kiln as a finished product. You are merciful Lord and the patience you have with me reflects your goodness and grace. When, at last, Jesus calls my name and reveals Himself to me again, in all His glory, I will worship you with all my heart, and rise only when the hand of Christ lifts me from my knees. You are Holy beyond measure and it is by your forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ that I am made worthy. Praised be your name Father... now and for forever more.
“So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.”
Acts 9: 17-19 ESV
Rich Forbes