Knowing The Word in Luke 24:36-43, Jesus Appears to His Disciples

Luke’s account of Jesus’ appearance to his disciples is very similar to John’s, yet they are independent with varying details. His greeting of “Peace be with you” is the same in John and is the normal greeting of the day. His appearance out of nowhere confirms he is not bound by our limitations. Anyone would react the way the disciples do in fright with this sudden, unexpected appearance. Just think, no one had ever been resurrected from the dead before. They disciples are the first eyewitnesses to the resurrection. Jesus deals directly with their doubts and fears. We discover that resurrection bodies are physical and can be touched and that resurrection bodies can also eat and digest food. It is as though Jesus’ body is the same as before.

Luke 24:36-43

36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 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.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, risen from the dead and alive for evermore: stand in our midst tonight as in the upper room; show us thy hands and thy side; speak thy peace to our hearts and minds; and send us forth into the world as thy witnesses; for the glory of thy name.

John R. W. Stott