Blurred Vision . . .

Christians just celebrated the most important day in the history of the world: Resurrection Sunday. It’s the day that gives us hope for resurrection and life eternal to come. Death no longer has the final word! It should be a day celebrated at least 365 times a year.

In reading the account, in John, of the Resurrection of Jesus, we learn that Mary Magdalene went to the grave on the first day of the week (three days after the death and burial of Jesus). John 20: 14-16 states:

14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 "Woman," he said, "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).

Have you ever wondered why Mary Magdalene did not recognize Jesus? Why could she not see that the man standing in front her was the same one who had driven demons out of her, healed many, fed thousands, and who had given his life on a cross just 3 days before? You may be like me and say, “I’d have recognized him! There is no way I could forget His face!”

What went wrong with Mary’s vision? Maybe her eyes were filled with tears, causing blurred images to appear in her sight. The emotion of a week, filled with many ups and downs, may have clouded her ability to put a name with a face. She may have seemed to look at him without really seeing him. He could have taken on a different image than the one he had while hanging on the cross. No matter the reason, the fact is she failed to recognize the one who loved her more than anyone else could love her.

That happens so many times in our lives. We get burdened down with everyday life cares and problems to the point where our spiritual vision becomes blurred and images become distorted. We see things that are not really there and fail to see the things that are important. The enemy loves to use these times to send us into states of depression and despair when all the time Jesus is standing in front of us, waiting for us to recognize Him.

Jesus sometimes appears to us in the form of other people who really do love us and want the best for us. He appears in the beauty of nature and the simple things as a flower or butterfly. He appears to us in the strains of beautiful music that seemed to be God inspired, and sometimes He simply speaks our name in only a way we can recognize!

I pray that my vision will always stay focused on my Savior who died for me in order that I may have the gift of eternal life. That gift makes my life so much worth living.

When’s the last time you’ve had a vision check-up?