What Can We Learn From It Theologically?
Before His crucifixion, Jesus was easily recognized. People knew Him by His face, His voice, and His earthly presence. But after His resurrection, something radically changed. The glorified Christ no longer revealed Himself through physical appearance but through spiritual discernment, personal testimony, and the power of His Word and Spirit.
This change reveals a profound theological truth: To recognize the risen Christ, one must be spiritually awakened. Flesh and blood alone cannot reveal Him—it requires revelation from the Father (cf. Matthew 16:17).
1. MARY MAGDALENE: RECOGNIZING BY THE VOICE, NOT BY SIGHT
In John 20:11–18, Mary Magdalene stands weeping outside the empty tomb. Jesus appears to her, but she doesn’t recognize Him. She assumes He’s the gardener—until He calls her name: “Mary.”
Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to say, Teacher). John 20:16 (NKJV)
Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to say, Teacher).
John 20:16 (NKJV)
Theologically, this highlights the truth found in John 10:27:
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Mary didn’t recognize Jesus by His appearance—but by His voice. The same voice that called Lazarus from the tomb (John 11:43) now awakens faith in her heart. This moment shows that recognition of Christ comes by divine calling, not by human perception.
2. THE DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS: CHRIST REVEALED IN THE WORD AND THE BREAKING OF BREAD
In Luke 24:13–35, two disciples journey to Emmaus, confused and discouraged. Jesus walks with them “in another form” (cf. Mark 16:12) and expounds the Scriptures, explaining how the Messiah had to suffer and rise again.
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27 (NKJV)
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Luke 24:27 (NKJV)
Still, they don’t recognize Him—until He breaks bread.
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. Luke 24:30–31 (NKJV)
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
Luke 24:30–31 (NKJV)
This passage teaches us that Christ is revealed through Scripture and communion. They later say,
Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us? Luke 24:32 (NKJV)
Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?
Luke 24:32 (NKJV)
This “burning heart” reflects the inner witness of the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 8:16), stirring the soul as the Word is opened.
3. THE DISCIPLES BY THE SEA: RECOGNIZING JESUS THROUGH HIS WORKS
In John 21:1–14, the disciples go fishing and catch nothing. A man on the shore tells them to cast the net on the right side—and they bring in a miraculous catch. It is only then that John says:
It is the Lord! John 21:7 (NKJV)
It is the Lord!
John 21:7 (NKJV)
This echoes a previous miracle in Luke 5:1–11, when Jesus first called Peter. Recognition here comes not through appearance but through familiar signs of divine power. Jesus reveals Himself through continuity in His works, affirming His identity as the risen Christ.
4. THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A SHIFT FROM SIGHT TO FAITH
After the resurrection, Jesus no longer appeared in the same recognizable form. This shift was intentional—it leads believers from reliance on the physical to faith in the spiritual.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
The resurrected body of Jesus was real and tangible (cf. Luke 24:39, “a spirit does not have flesh and bones”), but it was also glorified (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:42–44), no longer bound by space or appearance. He could appear in different forms and vanish at will, showing His divine authority.
Even some of His disciples doubted despite seeing Him:
When they saw Him, tphey worshiped Him; but some doubted. Matthew 28:17 (NKJV)
When they saw Him, tphey worshiped Him; but some doubted.
Matthew 28:17 (NKJV)
This shows that seeing is not always believing. Without spiritual discernment, one can look directly at Jesus and still not recognize Him.
5. TODAY: DO WE RECOGNIZE JESUS?
Today, Christ is present among us, but not in bodily form. If we expect Him to reveal Himself in visible signs only—long hair, white robe, glowing face—we may miss Him altogether.
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. John 20:29 (NKJV)
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
John 20:29 (NKJV)
We now recognize Christ through:
6. A WARNING: CHRIST CAN BE OVERLOOKED
Just like Mary thought Jesus was the gardener, or the disciples thought He was a stranger, you may encounter Christ in ways you don’t expect—through a preacher, a scripture, a rebuke, a call to repentance.
If you lack His testimony in your heart, you’ll dismiss Him.
You might say, “It’s just a preacher,” or “just another church service,” and fail to realize it is Christ Himself speaking to you.
CONCLUSION: KNOW HIM BY HIS TESTIMONY
Jesus has risen. He no longer comes to us in His former appearance, but He is present by His Spirit, and can be known through His Word and testimony.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant… Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant… Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)
Christ is still walking among His people today. The question is—can you recognize Him?
You don’t need a vision or supernatural sight. You need the Word in you. You need the Spirit to open your eyes. You need the testimony of Jesus alive in your life.
Let His Word dwell richly in you. Let His Spirit bear witness in your heart. Then, wherever He walks—you will know Him.
That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection… Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)
That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…
Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)
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Many Christians ask: Is it wrong to lend money with interest? The Bible clearly addresses this issue and gives distinctions between lending to fellow believers and lending to outsiders.
1. The Biblical Principle of Lending Without Interest Among Believers
In the Old Testament, God gave specific instructions to Israel regarding lending. They were forbidden from charging interest to one another — particularly when the person in need was poor or struggling. This principle reflected God’s compassion and justice among His covenant people.
Deuteronomy 23:19–20 (NIV): Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite, so that the Lord your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess.
Deuteronomy 23:19–20 (NIV):
Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.
You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite, so that the Lord your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess.
This law was not merely economic; it was spiritual. It demonstrated love, care, and solidarity among God’s people. To exploit someone in need — especially a fellow believer — for personal gain is seen as a lack of love and contrary to God’s nature.
Exodus 22:25 (ESV): If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.
Exodus 22:25 (ESV):
If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.
The heart behind this command is mercy. Just as God had been merciful to Israel in their slavery, they were to reflect that same mercy to others (see Deut. 15:12–15). Charging interest to a brother in need was viewed as taking advantage of their misfortune — something God strongly opposed.
2. Charging Interest to Outsiders Was Permitted
While interest was forbidden among Israelite brothers, God allowed the charging of interest to foreigners — those outside the covenant community.
Deuteronomy 23:20 (NIV): You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite…
Deuteronomy 23:20 (NIV):
You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite…
This reflects the distinction between family and outsiders. Within the family of God, love, generosity, and mercy are expected. But with outsiders, regular economic practices — including interest — were allowed.
Even today, charging interest in business (e.g., banking, investments, or trade) is not sinful in itself. Interest allows businesses to function, loans to be managed, and economies to grow. However, the motive and context matter greatly. If the goal is exploitation, even legal interest becomes immoral.
3. The New Testament Perspective
While the New Testament doesn’t repeat Old Testament interest laws directly, it continues the theme of generosity, especially within the body of Christ.
Luke 6:34–35 (NIV): And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great…
Luke 6:34–35 (NIV):
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great…
Jesus teaches radical generosity — not legalism. He calls His followers to lend without expecting anything in return, modeling the grace we ourselves have received from God.
In the early church, believers shared their possessions freely, and no one claimed anything as their own (Acts 4:32–35). This shows the heart of Christian generosity: we don’t give or lend with strings attached, but out of love and care.
4. Greed and Exploitation Are Condemned
Wherever financial practices are motivated by greed or used to oppress others, the Bible brings strong condemnation.
Ezekiel 22:12 (NIV): “In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.
Ezekiel 22:12 (NIV):
“In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.
Proverbs 28:8 (ESV): Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
Proverbs 28:8 (ESV):
Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
These verses make it clear: it is not the act of charging interest that is necessarily sinful, but the heart and motive behind it. If the intent is selfish gain, at the expense of others — especially the vulnerable — then it is offensive to God.
5. Theological Summary
Lending with interest to fellow believers in need is strongly discouraged, and often considered sinful, because it violates the command to love your brother (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:10).
Lending with interest in normal business or to outsiders is permitted, as long as it is done fairly and ethically.
God cares about our hearts in financial dealings — especially when our actions affect the poor, the weak, or our spiritual family.
True Christian generosity reflects the love and grace of Christ, who gave everything for us without expecting repayment.
Conclusion
Charging interest is not automatically a sin — it depends on whom you’re charging and why. If you’re doing business fairly with outsiders, it is allowed. But if you exploit your brother or sister in the faith during a time of need, you violate the law of love and offend the heart of God.
Let us give generously, lend compassionately, and act justly — remembering how much God has forgiven and given to us.
Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:8 (NIV)
Freely you have received; freely give.
Matthew 10:8 (NIV)
Be blessed.
Many people experience this type of dream, especially those who were once saved (born-again) but are now entangled in worldly matters or have completely fallen away from the faith. It often serves as a spiritual warning from God.
The dream may come in various forms: being left behind by a car, a bus, a plane, or by companions who were on a journey with you. However, the most common variation is dreaming of being left behind by a vehicle usually a bus.
One man shared a dream his friend had that greatly disturbed him. In the dream, the friend was on a bus traveling somewhere. The bus stopped due to traffic, and seeing that it was idle, he decided to step off briefly. But unexpectedly, the bus started moving again. He ran after it and found many others men, women, and children also running after the same bus.
Eventually, with great effort, he caught up and boarded the bus. But when he got inside, his seat was already taken. He had to squeeze himself into another spot, only to be pushed away by an elderly man. He then saw an empty seat nearby and sat down, just before waking up.
This dream was a spiritual revelation. The man had once accepted Christ and began the journey of salvation, but due to pressures and distractions of this world, he drifted away. God was revealing to him that he had left his spiritual position and was struggling to regain it.
Hebrews 10:38-39 (NKJV) says:
“Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”
James 4:4 (NIV) warns:
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
The struggle to re-enter the bus and the seat being taken illustrates the danger of delaying repentance. It aligns with Luke 13:24 (NIV):
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”
Turning back to worldly pleasures is dangerous. The Bible gives the example of Lot’s wife, who was warned to flee but looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.
Luke 17:32 (NKJV) simply says:
“Remember Lot’s wife.”
The implication is clear looking back or returning to a sinful life after knowing the truth is spiritually fatal.
If you have had such a dream, it may be a direct warning from God: you are losing your salvation. Continuing in this path of spiritual neglect or worldliness may cost you your eternal life.
Hebrews 2:3 (NKJV) asks:
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…?”
And if you’ve never been saved at all if you’ve never surrendered your life to Jesus Christ this dream is a divine call to repentance. It shows how terrifying and tragic it will be to be left behind when the final journey begins.
Romans 6:23 (NKJV):
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus is calling you to begin a new journey with Him. This message is not a coincidence it’s God speaking directly to you.
John 14:6 (NKJV):
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
Isaiah 35:8 (NIV) adds:
“And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.”
This world and all its pleasures will pass away. You may chase the things of the world endlessly, but in the end, your soul remains the most important part of you.
1 John 2:17 (NIV):
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
If you feel the call to return to God, or to begin your journey of faith for the first time, pray this prayer sincerely, in faith:
PRAYER OF SALVATION
Heavenly Father, I come before You, acknowledging that I am a sinner and have fallen short of Your glory. I have walked in rebellion and deserve judgment. But I believe that You are a merciful God, slow to anger and rich in love.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died for my sins and rose again for my justification. I confess Him as my Lord and Savior. Wash me with His precious blood, cleanse me from all unrighteousness, and make me a new creation, beginning today and for all eternity.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for receiving me and forgiving me. Amen.
If you have prayed that prayer with faith, now take the next step:
Repent genuinely by turning away from all known sin.
Find a Bible-believing, Spirit-filled church.
Be baptized in water by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
Begin studying the Word of God and walk daily in obedience and fellowship with other believers.
Philippians 1:6 (NIV) says:
“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
God bless you abundantly. Your journey has just begun.