Thomas Touches Christ Hands and Feet
Death is something that none of us really understands until it happens. When we die our hearts and brains have stopped functioning, and our physical bodies no longer sense the world around us. Our spirit has departed and our mortal bodies remain here. What happens next cannot be changed whether it is good or bad. Some people will go to heaven and others will go to hell.
When Jesus died, His physical body stopped functioning just as our bodies will some day. But He came back to life on Sunday (Matthew 28:1-10). He was resurrected by God the Father (Acts 2:24; 1 Corinthians 6:14) and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). When Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb the morning after He was resurrected, His body was no longer in the tomb (John 20:2) and it was immortal. In a few minutes she discovered that His new body was different. It had been transformed. In fact, it was so different that Mary Magdalene did not know who He was (John 20:14-16).
. . . she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 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.” John 20:14-15 (NASB)
Jesus’ new immortal body was different. Later we discover that He was able to eat food just as He had always been able to do before (Luke 24:40-43). But His body was also different in other ways. The disciples found that He could walk through walls.
After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:26-28 (NASB)
In addition, the disciples could see and touch Him. Luke 24:38-39 states that Jesus told the disciples that He had flesh and bones. His body was not that of a spirit. So, He was not like a ghost or some phantom. The disciples also discovered that He could immediately disappear if He desired, even with His immortal body of flesh and bones.
When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. Luke 24:30-31 (NASB)
In summary, here are the important facts about Jesus’ new body. First, His body was different from our physical bodies even though it was flesh and bone (Luke 24:39). Since Mary did not recognize Jesus’ newly transformed body, we discover that Jesus’ body did not look exactly like His old one. Second, in His new body, He could eat and drink. Now that is wonderful. Just imagine eating in the kingdom with Jesus. Jesus told His disciples that He would eat with them in the kingdom (Luke 22:15-16). Third, Jesus’ body was composed of immortal flesh and bones, and yet He was able to go through walls. He could simply vanish. . Now our bodies cannot do that. Finally, Jesus returned to heaven both in spirit and with His new, immortal body.
Conclusion
Every man and woman will have a new body some day in the future. Some day God will give us transformed bodies. These new bodies will join our spirits. The apostle Paul tells us this in the following passage.
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (NASB)
What a wonderful future for those who are Christians! We will have fun in the earthly kingdom and in heaven. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
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