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Mostly, we only see what is right before our eyes, without properly recognizing what has happened. When one sees a man, one is likely to judge him first by his exterior, but it is only by living together with him, that one gets the chance to know him. “By their fruits ye shall know them,” said Jesus.

A layman will not be able to correctly name every tree. If the tree is bearing fruit, and edible fruit particularly, even the ignorant person will be able to say which tree it is and whether the fruit is sweet or bitter. Similarly, by their fruits and deeds it can be seen if a good or evil spirit dwells in a man. In no other man was God the Father seen as clearly as in Jesus. He could truly say: “He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father,” and “The words, that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself; but the Father, that dwelleth in me.” (John 14:7-11). It took even the disciples a long time until they could recognize Jesus as the Son of God in the son of man. Finally, Peter affirmed on behalf of all the disciples: “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:69). Jesus was a man like all men, and from His exterior nobody could recognize the Son of God. Only by His testimony, His words, and His deeds (fruits) it was possible to see and recognize the Lord. When Jesus met the woman of Samaria, she did not recognize the Lord at first. Only when Jesus talked to her and told her the truth, recognition dawned slowly. When she spoke of the coming of the Messiah and Jesus said: “I that speak unto thee, am he”, only then she knew whom she had met. (John 4:5-26). To many who recognized the Son of God in the flesh, the Lord appeared after His resurrection, but always in a different form, not as they had known Him. The first to meet the resurrected one was Mary, but she did not recognize the Lord, thinking it was the gardener. Only when Jesus addressed her by name, she recognized Him, saying “Rabboni” (Master). (John 20:11-16). At Lake Tiberias, Jesus, the resurrected one, showed Himself to the disciples, but they did not know that it was Jesus. Only when He said: “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find,” and they followed His advice and got a big catch, then they knew – it is the Lord. (John 21:4-7). The two disciples at Emmaus had a similar experience. They thought that they had found a companion whom they could tell their sorrow, but Jesus started to talk about Moses and all the prophets and to explain Scripture to them. When they sat at the table together, He broke the bread and gave them. Then their eyes were opened, and they knew the Lord. (Luke 24:13-35).

If we have the right recognition, then let us take good care that we do not lose it. John the Baptist had a wonderful recognition. When he saw Jesus’ approaching, he gave witness: “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). Later on, he had almost lost this recognition, sending two of his disciples to Jesus to ask, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3).

Abram could recognize the Lord always, even in his ripe old age. When the Lord appeared to him in the plains of Mamre, he recognized Him in the three visitors. When Abram saw them, he ran to meet them and bowed himself towards the ground saying: “My Lord, if now I have found favour in Thy sight, pass not away, I pray Thee, from Thy servant.” (Genesis 18:1-3).

May this attitude of Abram be found with us too, that we recognize the Lord at all times, even if He meets us in the form of a servant.