It has always seemed so peculiar to me that Christ was so secretive in revealing Himself to the world after His resurrection. One would think that, after such an incredible triumph, He would have taken the opportunity to show off the power of God. Maybe a quick trip to Pilate, maybe a stop by Caesar’s palace, maybe appearing in the Senate as the risen Son of God, or maybe the Sanhedrin and Caiaphas could use a peek? I have a list of folks I think could have used the shock. Instead, Jesus visited the weak, the hurting, those who were adrift from their purpose and bleeding emotionally. He took these men, healed them, restored their purpose and reoriented their worldview.   

God hasn’t changed much in all these years. He still doesn’t stand before presidents, kings or prime ministers revealing His scars and resurrected body. Instead, He seems determined to remain obscure.

Why appear to those guys? Simple; His works and their mission are too important to entrust to anyone else. It is not that God has made His appearances limited; it is that He has appeared to the right people at the right time so that His plan to redeem our sorry souls would not be left to chance.

Next time your oppressive schedule, restricted opportunities, hateful opponents, or selfish nature tries to beat you down, remember this: Jesus quietly renews our strength, rejuvenates our friendship and equips us to be ready to extend His good news while mightily prospering our lives. He trusts you to put on the armor, to stand firm, to struggle against every power, every world force and every spiritual force of wickedness—He trusts you to withstand because He knows you have been built to do it. 

That’s why He reveals Himself to whom He reveals Himself. The task was too important to leave with just anyone. He needs those who are up for the challenge, not by recognizing their own strength or talent but by being able to see His. BE STRONG IN HIS POWER.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:10-13