The disciples should have known Jesus. They had heard his voice countless times and gazed upon that marred face again and again. How astonishing that they didn't recognize him! But isn't it the same with you? You haven't seen Jesus lately. You've come to his table and not met him there. You're walking through dark trouble this evening, and though he plainly says, "It is I; do not be afraid," you still cannot discern him.

Alas! Our eyes are held shut. We know his voice. We've looked into his face. We've leaned our head upon his bosom. And yet, though Christ is very near us, we're crying, "O that I knew where I might find him!"

We should recognize Jesus—we have the Scriptures that reflect his image!—and yet how easy it is to open that precious book and catch no glimpse of the Wellbeloved. Dear child of God, is this where you are tonight? Jesus feeds among the lilies of his Word, and you walk among those lilies, yet you behold him not. He is accustomed to walk through the glades of Scripture and commune with his people, just as the Father did with Adam in the cool of the day. You are in the garden of Scripture, but you cannot see him, though he is always there.

Why can't we see him? We must ascribe it, as with the disciples, to unbelief. They evidently didn't expect to see Jesus, and therefore they didn't know him. To a great extent in spiritual things we get what we expect of the Lord. Faith alone can bring us to see Jesus.

Make this your prayer: "Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may see my Savior present with me." It is a blessed thing to want to see him. But oh! It is better far to gaze upon him. To those who seek him he is kind; but to those who find him, beyond expression is he dear!