The Living Christ: Part 5

Luke 24: 36-43

“36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.”

This is not the first time that the disciples mistook Jesus for a ghost.  When Jesus walked on water, He was mistaken by the disciples to be a ghost.   But this time was different.  

They knew Jesus had been crucified. They knew he had been stabbed in the side.  They knew he had been taken down and placed in a tomb.  If Jesus was standing in front of them now, He must be a ghost.  There could be no other explanation. Unless…unless the reports of his resurrection were true.

To show them He was not a ghost, Jesus showed them his hands and feet.  He let them touch Him to show them he was solid flesh and bone.  He ate solid food in front of them, something no ghost could do.

He showed them these things in order that they would be credible eyewitnesses to the resurrection.  They would be able to say that they saw Him, they saw the scars, they touched him and he was certainly not a ghost or a figment of their imaginations.

We are His witnesses today.  Through His love, His presence, and His teachings we can say that we know Him, that we have felt His love, that we have experienced His presence, 

and that we have heard Him call our very names.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)