John 14:22

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot. The evangelist carefully distinguishes this Judas from the one who will betray Jesus, the son of James, also called Thaddaeus. He voices a legitimate question that likely echoed in all the disciples' minds. How is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? If Jesus is truly the Messiah, why not reveal himself to everyone? Why not force belief through undeniable proof? Why hide himself from those who will reject him? The question carries an assumption that may trouble many believers: that a full revelation of Christ would compel belief, and that hiding it is a kind of unfairness.

The question cuts to the heart of human freedom. Jesus could coerce belief through overwhelming evidence, but that would not be love. Love requires freedom. A beloved who is forced into loyalty is not truly beloved. Jesus's manner of manifest presence to believers is different from his manifest presence to the world because believers have chosen to follow, to trust, to obey. They have opened themselves to him, and he is present to them in proportion to that openness. The world, that system of thought and desire opposed to God, has not made such a choice. It cannot see the risen Christ because it has not eyes to see. Sight comes to those willing to seek, to repent, to bend their will toward his. This is not unfair. It is the very nature of personal relationship.