The Bodily Resurrection of Christ Jesus
Jesus himself stood among them and said to them "Peace be with you."
They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
He [Jesus] said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why to doubts arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and 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."
Saint Luke's Gospel 24:36b-39
Ask any Christian today about the form of the resurrected Jesus and most will tell you about a "resurrection of the spirit or soul". Please note that according to Saint Luke this was also a problem of the first disciples. It was Jesus who pointed out that in his resurrected form he had "flesh and bones" and not just a ghost or spirit.
The passage noted that Jesus had "flesh and bones," that his friends could "see and touch him", that he actually spoke and ate with them and told them that "a ghost does not have flesh and bones..."
Standard Christian belief, according to the Apostles' Creed, is that as Christians we believe in "the resurrection of the body."
William Barclay, distinguished New Testament scholar, writer, commentator and professor of Hellenistic Studies at Glasgow University, Scotland; in his book, A Plain Man's Look At The Apostles' Creed, tells us that in the original form of this creed, the word used for body was the word flesh. So that the phrase from the creed should more correctly read: "I believe in the resurrection of the flesh".
Many of the post resurrection stories make the point, over and over again, that Jesus had a bodily resurrection. In first Corinthians chapter thirteen, St. Paul says to the Corinthians that God will give us a body of God's own making, a spiritual body. What is a spiritual body?
Read the resurrection stories in the Gospels and tell me what are your thoughts on the resurrection: A Bodily Resurrection, a resurrection of only a spirit or a resurrection of both body and spirit?
May the risen presence of Christ continue to be in you and in his Church.
Blessing and power be yours, forever and ever!
Ernest Belisle (Pastor, St. Paul's United Methodist Church)
Scripture Lessons for May 2012. The Lectionary is a collection of readings or periscopes from the Holy Bible for use in Christian worship, making provisions for the seasons of the church or liturgical year. There are usually two selections from the Hebrew Bible
(Old Testament), and two from the Christian Scriptures. The lectionary moves through a year cycle that touches all the books of the Holy Bible. These selections are from the United Methodist version of the Revised Common Lectionary. You are encouraged to prayerfully read, meditate and reflect on each of these passages. At least one will be selected as the preaching text for the coming week. The Gospel will be read each week in worship.
May 6 - Acts 8:26-40 ~ Psalm 22:25-31 ~ 1 John 4:7-21 ~ John 15:1-8
May 13 - Acts 10:44-48 ~ Psalm 98 ~ 1 John 5:1-6 ~ John 15:9-17
May 20 - Acts 1:1-11 ~ Psalm 47 ~ Ephesians 1:15-23 ~ Luke 24:44-53
May 27 - Acts 2:1-21 ~ Psalm 104:24-34, 35b ~ Romans 8:22-27 ~ John 15:26-27, 6:4b-15
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