During the Easter season, we continue to focus on the appearances of the risen Christ to His followers. The Gospel for this Sunday is from Luke 24:36-49. This passage highlights two points about Christ's resurrection. It shows that 1) Jesus' resurrection has physical or bodily characteristics, and 2) His resurrection is the fulfillment of all Scripture.
First, many people in the first century and since have not appreciated the unique character of Jesus' resurrection. Many people have merely viewed Christ's resurrection as a vague affirmation of a spiritual survival of death. Some have viewed it as a vision or even a hallucination. However, the New Testament accounts deny such banal understandings of the Resurrection. Although Jesus' physical nature has certainly been transformed (for example, space and time no longer limit His movements as before), the risen Jesus still has a tangible body. He walks and talks. He bears marks of the crucifixion. He can be touched. He can eat and drink. During the 40 days till the Ascension, Christ is physically present with His followers in real ways. His Resurrection is both a transformation of and a continuation of His Incarnation!
Secondly, Jesus uses the days of Easter to complete and deepen the instruction of His followers in the meaning of Scripture. He re-emphasizes some of the teachings that the disciples never seemed to understand before. During the days after His resurrection, He prepares them for lasting faith and mission. In particular, Jesus interprets the whole biblical message in light of His life, death, and resurrection. The risen Christ helps His followers see that He is the eternal Word at the heart of all Holy Scripture. He is the One whose death and resurrection give all divine revelation its ultimate and abiding significance! Jesus Christ is the Gospel, the Good News, personified!
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