Fascination with Jesus

Who is Jesus? What is He like? What is His Peronality like? That is such a fascinating question. I am not going to offer a lot of insights but I am going to present several real life experiences in Jesus' life and let you ponder them. I think that delight, wonder and awe will move you to fascination regarding this most intriguing person. Luke 24 vs 13 - 48 records some very interesting events. Jesus has been killed and subsequently reappeared as a living person to a few people. Two of his disciples are walking along the road to Emmaus discussing the horrible events in Jerusalem. Jesus walks up next to them. Strangely they do not recognize him. Something about his appearance is different. Jesus asks them what they are talking about. The disciples are so depressed about the supposed finality of Jesus death that the text says, "They stood still, with their faces downcast." They didn't even know what to say to this person who just approached them. They ask this stranger if he has only just arrive in Jerusalem for a visit? Doesn't he know what has been going on? Pardon me for saying it, but Jesus plays dumb with them to draw the out, "What things?" (Isn't that interesting? When does Jesus do this with us?) They tell him what has just transpired. Jesus chastises them for being slow to believe all that the scripture has said about Him. As they are approaching their destination Jesus pretends that He is going further down the road! (Again, isn't that interesting?) They compel Him to stay with them. The scripture puts it this way: "They urged Him strongly, 'Stay with us....' " Then they eat. Jesus breaks the bread, gives thanks, immediately they recognize who He is. Immediately He disappears. The whole event is fascinating. Why does Jesus approach them without revealing who He is? Why does He play dumb? Why does He pretend that He is going further down the road? Why does he disappear right after breaking the bread? It is intriguing. They burn with excitement and run all the way back to Jerusalem. Before they can tell everyone what has happened the other disciples burst out, "Jesus is actually alive and Peter has seen Him!" Then the 2 disciples tell their story about the road to Emmaus and how Jesus walked with them unknown. The text says, "While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood among them...." Why does He disappear and then show up again a little later once the 2 disciples have joined the others? Why not walk back with them? Oh, one more question... Why does Jesus veil His appearance to the two disciples along to the road to Emmaus, but not to the whole group when He appears in their midst? Did it do something to the two on the Emmaus road to have their "hearts burning" (vs 32) while Jesus talked to them disguised? Was Jesus drawing them to Himself in some way? A similar thing occurs in Mark 6:45 – 52. Jesus has just feeding 5,000 people by divine multiplication of food. He tells the disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side of the lake to Bethsaida. Jesus then goes up the mountain to pray. Sometime later during the evening Jesus sees the disciples straining at the oars because the wind was against them. During the “fourth watch of the night” which is the very early morning Jesus walks out on the water towards them. The text says, “He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him they were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them…”

Isn’t this amazing? Not only is Jesus walking on the water, but He is acting like he is going to pass right by them as they are straining at the oars trying advance against the wind!

Why does He do this?

Walking on the water itself is enough to begin convincing them that he is not just another moral teacher. He is something way more than that! Mortal man begins to come into contact with Immortal God who has absolute authority over nature. Shocking! But it is an interesting way to teach.

But why act like he is going to pass them by? If they had not ‘cried out’ with terror, would he have passed them by? Would he have waited for them on the shore? Was He planning on getting in the boat all along? What effect did all this have on these disciples?

I don’t know the answers to these questions. It is Jesus - you just have to get used to Him doing things His way! However, wresting with His personally does teach you about WHO He is, personally.