Resurrection of the Body

"Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." - Jesus after his resurrection (Luke 24:39)

Jesus' resurrection was not "spiritual" as we, today, define the term. He didn't become a ghost and he doesn't live in our hearts and minds like our departed loved ones; he was bodily raised from the dead.

That has always been a part of the faith. When the Bible says in Psalms 16:10, "neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption", it's declaring Christ's body would not decay like the rest of humanity; impostors can't make it past the grave¹.

Certainly the resurrected body is different from the body that died; it could materialize anywhere², was not always recognized³, is no longer subject to illness or death⁴, and is "spiritual" in the sense that it is not limited to this earth's physics⁵. But it is a new dimension of physical that can still eat⁶, be touched⁷, and interacted with like any other physical object⁸.

The resurrection of Christ defeated our last enemy, Death⁹, and when Jesus returns our mortal bodies shall change to be like his.¹⁰

That is the classic "hope" of the resurrection, not to be some disembodied ghost somewhere but to be wholy redeemed individuals in the place Jesus went to prepare for us.

- fritz

^{1 - Romans 1:3-4
2 - John 20:19
3 - John 21:4
4 - Romans 6:9
5 - 1 Corin. 15:44 Not "a spirit" but "spiritual body"
6 - Luke 24:41-42
7 - Luke 24:39
8 - Acts 1:3
9 - 1st Corinthians 15:26
10 - Philippians 3:21}

Recognizing Jesus

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." - John 21:3,4 (KJV)

Sometimes Jesus isn't recognized by even his closest friends. We see this several times in the bible. It happened to the disciples, to Mary, to Hikers on the road to Emmaus, and even Sampson's parents.

I think it continues to happen, today. We encounter Him and don't even realize it is him until after.

God sometimes brings a complete stranger to give us advice and, if we are open and willing to try, it was just the word we needed.

As with Mary in the garden tomb (John 20:15), filled with grief, thinking someone has taken away our faith, if we ask, God speaks our name and we realize He has been with us all along.

Like the Hikers on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24), we hear the Word of God preached and the bread broken (communion) and our hearts burn within us and we know we heard from God.

Sometimes our children make wrong choices in spite of our efforts and prayers and we are distressed like Sampson's parents (Judges 14:4), but discover later that God had a greater plan.

Jesus, help me to recognize you in the events of my life, trust you completely, and love you fully.

Amen.

Fish, not the only thing grilled that day...

(John 21:17) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

(John 21:18)Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

(John 21:19b)...And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (KJV)

On the beach, over a piece of grilled fish, Jesus grilled Peter with one question over and over, “Peter, do you love me?”

With every, “Yes, Lord”, Jesus pushed further. Feed my lambs. Feed my Sheep. Feed my sheep. Follow me, even where you wont want to go.

It’s easy to follow where I want to go, no love required for that. I love my independence but need to love Jesus more than that independence.

It is not too late to give the right answer!

Peter gave the right answer, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you!”, and with God's help he followed through; with God's help so shall I.

An interesting aside, Jesus did not say to go where he would send, but follow where he would lead. Being sent puts me in front but following his lead puts him in front, the closer the better.

- Fritz