Peace to You – Luke 24:36-49

TheFreeDictionary.com defines a body as “The entire material or physical structure of an organism.”  But what makes my body my body?  It is the entire structure, but that includes my unique DNA combination.  What happens when I die and my body disintegrates and my DNA is scattered to the winds?  How can I be reassembled at the resurrection?  God can do anything.  Does He maintain knowledge of the whereabouts of the billions of stars, planets, asteroids and comets of the universe?  Can He not keep track of my DNA?

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”  (Luke 24:36-49 ESV)

Jesus now appears to a group of the apostles and other disciples, offering proof that he is not a spirit but flesh and bones.  This is established by letting them touch him, especially his hands an feet (which still bear the scars of the crucifixion) and by eating.  Our resurrection will be like his, our actual bodies being reunited with our spirits making us whole persons again.  How is that possible?  With God it is possible.

Jesus then once again highlights how Scripture predicted this and opens the minds of the apostles to understand how the Scriptures give witness to him and every facet of his life and ministry.  As authoritative witnesses to his life and ministry Jesus charges them with proclaiming his message to all nations.  But he wants them to first wait in Jerusalem for the power that will come when the Holy Spirit comes upon them.

We have this same charge as those who have been witnessed to by the apostles and the record they left behind.  We too need the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim Jesus’ name.