Would you recognize Jesus if you saw Him walking around today?

Okay - so I have been doing a study on Peter and his leadership experience.

Today I was reading John 21:1-23. It's the passage where Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, three times. But something else stuck out to me. Verse 4 says, "Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." I started thinking, why didn't they recognize who Jesus was? They spent 3 years together - almost every day, serving together, learning together... So how could you not recognize someone you spent that much of your life (especially so recently) with?

I started thinking... I remember last summer I did an internship with LeaderTreks for 11 weeks. I am very involved with the college ministry and middle school ministry at my church - and I am good with faces (not names so much). Anyways - while I was gone for almost 3 months, I only kept in touch with about 3 people and they were my informants of news and passing messages along for me. I remember coming back, and seeing this guy who seemed like he knew me... After some awkward "OH my goodness! I feel so stupid" thoughts... I realized it was Cory Dunbar - he had chopped his long locks of hair off, but I hadn't kept in touch with him or heard any updates... So I totally didn't recognize him...

Same idea with Jesus - Peter and the other disciples hadn't hung out with Jesus lately... They hadn't kept up with him (we have the blessing of having the Bible now). They didn't recognize him! I'm sure they had the same "OH my goodness! I feel so stupid" thoughts I had... But we don't have fall away so far that we wouldn't recognize Jesus if he walked by today... It's sad, we have so many resources - many of us have several Bibles at home, and yet for some reason we don't use them to get to know our Savior, friend, redeemer, comforter, daddy...

That led me to thinking - have I recognized Jesus lately? Last night, I saw Jesus! I was out getting ready to go to my next interpreting assignment. I had just driven through TONS of rain... But Pinellas county was starting to clean up. I looked back towards Tampa and I saw the most beautiful rainbow! I went inside and when I came back out - there were 2 (a double arc!). It was so beautiful - it felt like God had written me the most beautiful love note! I got a picture on my phone if anyone wants to see it...

Anyways - the only reason I believe I recognized Jesus in that rainbow is the fact that I have been trying to stay connected with Jesus - having daily dates with him. When I am not connected, I miss God's messages to us or the glimpses of Jesus we can see if we are looking!

So - anyways... If Jesus were to walk around here today, would you recognize him? Get to know him on a deeper level - no matter where you are right now, you can always go deeper!

Love and hugs,
Joy