Can’t see the audio player? Click here to listen.
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.
Luke 24:36–43
My own flesh seems weak and ugly to me, and it is a wonder to me that this too will be redeemed — all of it. My hunger, my thirst, these also will be redeemed and restored. Jesus is no abstract savior, only interested in my spirit. No, He is a complete savior, a complete rescue of my dust. That is why it is so startling to read the accounts of Jesus after His resurrection from the dead. He is all glorious but cannot be touched by Mary right away. He is somehow completely unnoticeable by friends and yet can somehow transport Himself into locked rooms – suddenly appearing in the middle of them. And then He eats! All glory to the Son! He eats! We are confronted with the strange nature of resurrected flesh. It means so much for us. We hunger now and somehow that hunger itself, for a catfish dinner with friends, is a part of our experience in the new heavens and the new earth. This strange flesh will be mine. I wonder what it can do, or will do, for the glory of the Son in His new kingdom. I can only hope that this body will taste redemption now in the obedience of my senses to the holiness of my God.