Hidden But Not Gone

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
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Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away."

These two Gospel accounts demonstrate one of Jesus's best qualities. Jesus can cloak Himself in secrecy.There is something attractive about a God who can encounter us while still veiling His glory. He is a God who wants to have a normal conversation with His people without flaunting His position and power. "Let's just walk down this Emmaus road and talk about what happened." He can look like a gardener. "Let's stand by my empty grave and find out why Mary is crying." These two accounts are not the only accounts where Jesus's veils Himself. It appears to be a defining characteristic. His veiled approach emanates from His humility. He wants to walk with us in the cool of the day just as much as He wants to overwhelm us with His fully exposed glory. I think His veiled approach is best described in Philippians:

Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men...

I often wonder if the Holy Spirit shares in this veil as well.

John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Can we consider the humility of the Spirit as a veil? The Spirit is so submissive that He only declares what He hears. The Spirit comforts us and delivers us, but never draws attention to Himself. I am fascinated by the mystery of Jesus. He can be right in front of us, and we might not even be aware of it!