Risen & Recognizable
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Every Easter: I love telling my first Easter church experience. It freaked me out. What freaked you out? The pastor got up and said three words. Then the entire church said back four words.
He is Risen / He is Risen Indeed
Many people think the Resurrection of Jesus was a just a legend that grew decades after Jesus died.
Skeptic’s think, if it happened at all, it was a hallucination or a metaphor.
But when we start digging into the historical record (The New Testament), we find something that doesn’t fit the “Legend Theory”. We find eye witnesses who didn't just see a “light” or a “spirit”. They saw the Man they knew.
They didn't see a stranger. They recognized Him.
If Jesus lived a relatable, human life, the only way the Resurrection matters is if that same relatable Man came back. My big idea today is this:
Big Idea: Jesus rose recognizable because He lived relatable.
He is recognized by His relatable voice.
Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb.
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
Picture Mary. She’s devastated. Her world has been shattered.
She’s looking at Jesus, but she can’t see Him through the veil of her tears. She thinks He’s the gardener.
But then, He speaks. He doesn’t give a lecture on biblical theology. He doesn't quote a bunch of bible prophecies. He just says one word. Her name. Mary.
Suddenly, the fog clears. She recognizes the inflection, the warmth, the personal touch of the voice that cast out her demons.
Have you ever seen a baby who only stops crying when they hear their mother’s specific voice.
We use voice recognition technology on our phones today to verify identity. Mary didn't recognize a face first; she recognized a tone. She recognized the specific, relatable way Jesus had always spoken to her.
In a world where you are just a number, a social security digit, or a “user” on an app, Jesus recognizes you. He’s not a distant deity; He’s the relatable Savior who knows your name.
Why does this matter? If this were a legend, the writers would have made Jesus body shine like a sun or have it hover in the air. Instead, He’s so relatable He’s mistaken for a gardener.
If you are a skeptic like I was: In the 1st century, Women were not considered credible witnesses. If you’re faking a story, making up a legend, you don't make Mary your lead witness. You do it because it’s the truth.
2. He is recognized by His relatable character and His actions.
Luke 24:13-31
These two disciples are walking seven miles to Emmaus. Jesus joins them, but their eyes are “kept from recognizing Him.” They have a seven-mile Bible study! But it’s not the sermon that opens their eyes.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
Why recognize Him then? Because they had seen Him do that exact thing hundreds of times. At a table, giving thanks, and breaking of the bread was His M.O.
Modus Oper-an-di / M.O. What are the habits of the person?
It’s a specific habit or “tell” that gives people away.
3. He is recognized by His relatable scars.
Now, let’s talk about Thomas. We call him “Doubting Thomas,” but I think he was just “Honest Thomas”. He says, “Unless I see the nail marks... I will not believe.” He wanted the Jesus he knew / not a ghost. A wk later.
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
The scars didn’t make Him unrecognizable. They made Him unmistakable.
A week later, Jesus shows up. And I love this… Jesus doesn't scold him. He doesn't say, “How dare you have questions!” No, He offers His hands. He says, “Touch the scars, Thomas.”
Think about this: Jesus could have had any body He wanted in the Resurrection. He could have been scarless, pristine, and “perfect” by world standards.
But He chose to keep the scars. Why? Because His scars are His credentials. They prove He’s the same relatable Man who stood in our place. He rose recognizable by the very wounds He took for us.
I carry a physical / mental scars.
For those returning to faith: Maybe you feel “scarred” by your past. Jesus rose with His scars to show you that your relatable, messy, painful history doesn't disqualify you… it’s where He meets you.
He is recognizable by His wounds.
So we have the historical documented evidence from the New Testament that the Resurrection of Jesus was not a legend.
We have the voice recognition from Mary. Remember her testimony. And for sure it’s true because of 1st Century customs regarding a women's testimony.
We have the forensic markers of Jesus’ hands and side. From now “not doubting Thomas”. That Jesus will have for eternality.
We have the behavioral M.O. testimony of two disciples walking seven miles to Emmaus and having a meal with Jesus.
In 1 Corinthians 15:6 you can read their were eyewitness testimony of over 500 people of the resurrected Jesus. - Not a hallucination!
The conclusion? Jesus didn't just “survive” death. He conquered it as a recognizable, relatable Man.
If He rose recognizable, then He is still the same Jesus who said, “Come to me, all who are weary”. He is the same relatable Savior you can trust and put your faith in today.
You might be here today and say, they saw Jesus and believed. But I need to see it to believe it. Do you? After Jesus showed doubting Thomas his hands and side he said this.
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
How is that? He will speak to you and you will hear Him.
24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
If you are here today and hear Jesus calling you to a relationship with Him don’t wait.
24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
