Who is Jesus? What is He like? How does He act? What is His personality like?

     Who is Jesus? That is such a facinating question. I am not going to offer a lot of insights in this paper 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 facinating with 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. As 2 of his disciples are walking along the road to Emaus discussing the horrible events in Jerusalem Jesus walks up next to them and asks them what they are talking about. Strangely they do not recognize him. Something about his appearance is different. 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 a bit to draw the out, "What things?" (Isn't that interesting? When does Jesus do this with us?) They tell him what has just transpired and Jesus actually gets in their face a bit and challenges them.

     As they are approaching their destination Jesus pretents that He is going further down the road! (Again, isn't that interesting?)

     They restrain Him to stay with them. The scripture puts it this way: "They urged Him strongly, 'Stay with us....' " Then they eat and Jesus breaks the bread, gives thanks, they immediately recognize who He is and 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 interesting... they burn with excitement and run all the way back to Jerusalem. The other disciples beat them to the punch and burst out, "Jesus is actually alive!" Then the 2 disciples tell their story about the road to Emaus 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? Why disappear in the first place?

     Oh, one more question... Why does Jesus veil His appearance to the 2 disciples along to the road to Emaus, but not to the whole group when He appears in their midst? Did it do something to the 2 on Emaus to have their "hearts burning" (vs 32) while Jesus talked to them disguised? Was Jesus drawing them to Himself in some way?

      It is Jesus - you just have to get used to Him doing things His way!