Mary Magdalene, who loved him so much, who was faithfully near the cross at the time of his crucifixion, who, early on the first day of the week went to the tomb of this man who had changed her life—even she didn't at first recognize him when he stood outside the tomb. See John 19:25; 20:1–16. The two on the road to Emmaus who had listened to him so many times, who had healed in his name and seen the loaves and fishes multiplied—even they didn't realize that it was their patient Master who walked with and listened to them. See Luke 24:13–31. Yet Jesus had risen from the dead.
If we find ourselves alone, defeated, or brokenhearted, and we have trouble seeing that the timeless Christ, Truth, is present to save us, we might think of these early Christians. Even they who had the privilege of seeing Jesus after his resurrection still struggled with the reality of it. They didn't at first recognize him.
Easter speaks of the indestructibility of life and of the ever-presence of Christ. This saving power of God does not retreat when misunderstood, denied, or overlooked. Christ continues to lift, inspire, and rededicate us as we seek to hear the divine message. We have all probably felt something of Mary's grief, the sadness and confusion of the men walking to Emmaus, even the stubborn willfulness of Thomas, who would not believe unless he could see for himself the nail prints on the Master's hands. See John 20:19–29. Yet the darkest moments of doubt or anguish cannot withstand the penetrating power of Christ to strengthen, clarify, and make our hearts gentle again.
