I once read a story about a woman who couldn’t recognize anyone once that person left the room and came back in. She couldn’t even recognize her own family! A reporter asked her if it was scary to pick up her girls from the mall. Her answer was astounding: “Not really. They know who I am.” 

Jesus ascended into heaven to rule all things for your good. He is preparing a place for you, and he will come again to take you to heaven. When Jesus returns again, will you recognize him? Just think of how many different depictions of Jesus’ likeness you have seen. There are hundreds from every culture and time in history! The truth is that we don’t know what he looks like. Will we recognize him? On one hand, we’ll have no problem recognizing him. He’ll be the One to whom every knee is bowing on the Last Day! 

However, just as comforting is the truth the angel shared with the disciples at Jesus’ ascension: “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Even if we don’t know what he looks like, what a cool thing to know that it doesn’t have to concern you. The One who lived and died for you, this same One, will return. Don’t worry! He knows who you are!