This post was last updated on April 12, 2026

Day 16 (Year 2)

Their Eyes were Opened to Recognize Jesus

After Jesus’ resurrection, on the road to the village of Emmaus, two disciples walked with Him. He explained to them the Old Testament prophecies concerning Himself. “When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.” (Luke 24:30-31 NASB)

It is good for believers to see reality clearly and recognize where we are, but it is even better to have our eyes opened to see Jesus. The passage above describes Jesus appearing to two disciples after His resurrection. His appearance was like that of an ordinary passerby, so the two did not recognize Him in time. Indeed, Jesus may disguise Himself as a common or everyday person and be among people. Often, only those who seek the Lord and are careful and sensitive can easily recognize Him.

The two disciples mentioned in the passage were taught by Jesus about the messianic prophecies in the Old Testament while they walked with Him on the road. Based on the text, some have pointed out that the key to recognizing Jesus lies in being acquainted with the Old Testament scriptures. Being well-versed in the Old Testament is certainly good; however, according to testimonies from others who have seen Jesus, even those who have not thoroughly studied the Bible might have their eyes opened by Jesus and recognize Him.

Others have suggested that the passage shows Jesus opening their eyes while he observed the Lord’s Supper with the two disciples, because the phrase “took the bread and blessed it, and broke it and gave it to them” clearly describes the actions during the Lord’s Supper. But first, the text does not say this. Moreover, when the Israelites ate bread, they commonly performed this act of giving thanks. And throughout the two thousand years of church history, not many who have observed the Lord’s Supper have had the eyes of their hearts opened to see Jesus.

I believe the main message of the passage is this: we who follow Jesus, listen to His explanation of the scriptures, and even dine with Him, will have the eyes of our hearts opened by Him, so that we can recognize Him. This is a cultivation of the heart—first becoming familiar with the relevant scriptures, then developing a sensitivity to the Lord. But having the eyes of the heart opened may also be fleeting. If we want to have firm faith in the Lord, we must closely follow Him in our hearts, seek His presence, accept His work, and remember the spiritual experience of seeing Jesus. And on this basis, we seek the Lord’s further work, including His reappearing again and speaking to us.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you think that if Jesus Christ disguised Himself as an ordinary or common person, you would be able to recognize Him? Why?

2) Have you experienced the Lord’s work and believed in God’s words and guidance, so that you could recognize Jesus in your heart?