The Fog of Disruption

The Fog of Disruption

She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. – John 20:14

John 20:13-16

 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

 14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.

 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”

 16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).

Preoccupation: The Mental Merry-Go-Round

Preoccupation with sorrow and disappointment can feel like a mental merry-go-round, an endless cycle that traps people in a rut, making escape seem impossible. It’s easy to get caught up in the small details of daily life and lose sight of the bigger picture. When our focus narrows only to what is immediately in front of us, we become distracted and unable to see the forest for the trees.

This narrow perspective often leads to a fixation on things that, in the grand scheme of life, might hold no real significance. Could it be that our deepest fear is not failure, but instead achieving success in pursuits that ultimately do not matter?

The Clouded Vision of Fixation

Our ability to see clearly is often hindered by fixation and self-reflection. This was true for Mary Magdalene. Her grief and preoccupation blinded her to the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, even though He stood right before her. As Westcott insightfully noted, “We see only what we have the inward power of seeing.”

In ancient times, the soul was seen as the essence of our being, harmonizing the mind, body, and will into a cohesive whole. It serves as a bridge to the divine, connecting us to God. John Ortberg explains: “A healthy soul is whole and integrated. It is connected to God. A person with a healthy soul is at peace with God, with himself, and with others. When the soul is understood and cared for, we can be freed from hurry, preoccupation, unsatisfied desires, and chronic discontent.”

The Encounter at the Tomb

After the Lord Jesus Christ’s death, Mary Magdalene went to His tomb early in the morning. She discovered the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and His body gone (John 20:1-2). In her distress, she ran to inform Peter and John. When the three of them returned to the tomb, they found it empty (John 20:3-10). Heartbroken, Mary lingered outside, weeping (John 20:11). Mary was consumed by loss and grief.

When the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to her, she failed to recognize Him. Instead, she assumed He was the gardener (John 20:14-15). How could Mary, who had spent so much time with the Lord, fail to recognize Jesus? Her expectations had shaped her perception. She anticipated finding a sealed tomb and a lifeless body. The idea of encountering the risen Christ was so far removed from her expectations that she could not see the reality standing before her.

How did Mary Finally Recognize Jesus?

Mary’s moment of recognition came when the Lord Jesus Christ spoke her name: “Mary.” At that moment, something shifted inside her, and she knew it was Him. Such recognition comes from close, personal relationships. It’s reminiscent of how we remember our mother’s voice, distinct, unforgettable, and full of meaning. For Mary, hearing her name spoken by the Lord cut through her grief and distraction, helping her see clearly. Throughout history, when people hear their name spoken by the Father or Jesus, it deeply resonates within their souls.

The Challenge of Seeing Clearly

Daily life, with its distractions, preoccupations, and challenges, often obscures what the Father is trying to reveal to us. Like Mary, we can become so consumed by our expectations and circumstances that we fail to recognize the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.

This is not wishful thinking. The apostle Paul explained that it would be the present reality of all children of the King. Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When we let the Father guide us, He gives us the discernment to see with the eyes of our heart, enabling us to recognize His presence and understand His guidance.

REFLECT & PRAY

How often do we see only what we want to see? Daily events, our preoccupations, and the ups and downs of life often hide what the Father is trying to reveal to us.

Father, grant me the discernment to see the Lord Jesus Christ with the eyes of my heart. Help me to understand Your guidance and recognize whatever it is You wish to teach me.

INSIGHT

Detecting Counterfeits

How do United States Treasury agents learn to identify counterfeit money? At first glance, one might think they study fake bills to understand their flaws. However, the truth is quite different. Treasury agents learn to spot counterfeit currency by becoming deeply familiar with the features of real money. Instead of studying counterfeits, they master the details of genuine bills, their texture, design, security features, and distinctive traits. This method helps them instinctively recognize anything that strays from the authentic standard.

One treasury agent summed up this approach with the phrase, “Touch, Tilt, Look At, Look Through.” This meticulous process ensures that agents can detect even the most convincing forgeries by comparing them to the real Thing.

Discernment Through Familiarity with Christ

Children of the King develop discernment by becoming deeply familiar with the Lord Jesus Christ. The better we know Him, the more effectively we can identify and reject spiritual counterfeits. This protective discernment does not happen instantly; it requires practice, determination, and experience.

Hebrews 5:14: “Those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

As we deepen our relationship with the Father, we should expect to see Him more clearly and hear His voice more distinctly. Familiarity with Him enhances our spiritual perception, allowing us to navigate life with wisdom and clarity.

A Desire to See Jesus

In the Gospel of John, a group of outsiders called “Greeks” came to worship. The apostle John used the term “Greeks” not to refer to people from Greece, but to non-Jews, that is, Gentiles. Since they had come to worship, they were likely God-fearers. In the New Testament, a God-fearer was a Gentile who worshiped the God of Israel and respected Jewish religious practices but had not fully converted to Judaism by undergoing circumcision and fully adopting the Mosaic law. These “Greeks” had heard stories about the Lord Jesus Christ and were eager to meet Him.

Their excitement and longing are reflected in their simple yet profound request to Philip, John 12:21: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

The longing to see the Lord Jesus Christ should resonate deeply with every child of the King. To truly experience His presence, we need to pray for spiritual clarity and insight. The Father deeply desires to open the eyes of our hearts that we might fully grasp his love and grace.

Paul expresses this beautifully in his prayer for believers: Ephesians 1:18-19: “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called, his holy people, who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.”

Paul’s prayer highlights the need for spiritual illumination, a divine intervention that helps us understand the hope, inheritance, and power we have as children of the King.

Spiritual Cataracts

As people age, their vision often declines, often requiring cataract surgery. Over time, their eyesight may become blurry and discolored, making it hard to see clearly. Thanks to modern medical advances, this procedure is now quick, safe, and highly effective, restoring clarity through the skill of an eye surgeon.

Similarly, our spiritual vision can become clouded over time. Distractions, doubts, and life’s challenges can blur our ability to see the Lord Jesus Christ clearly. Paul’s prayer in Ephesians reflects a plea for spiritual surgery, a divine sharpening of our spiritual eyes. Just as a skilled surgeon restores physical sight, the Father works to restore and enhance our spiritual sight, enabling us to see Him with clarity and confidence.

Seeing Clearly Through Spiritual Growth

The journey of developing spiritual discernment and clarity can be compared to training treasury agents. By immersing ourselves in the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, we become skilled at recognizing and dismissing falsehoods. Through prayer, consistent practice, and deepening our relationship with Him, our spiritual perceptions are refined, enabling us to experience the beauty, hope, and power of His presence in our lives.

Mary’s encounter at the tomb highlights the importance of spiritual clarity. When we’re overwhelmed by grief and distractions, our vision can become clouded; however, the Lord’s voice can pierce that chaos, offering us understanding and peace. A healthy soul, connected to God, is vital for seeing clearly and living the life the Father has called us to.  

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© Dr. H 2025