JESUS CHRIST: GOD-MAN - Vital Christianity

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It was not the empty tomb that aroused belief in John, the disciple, it was the
appearance of the grave clothes (vv. 6-8). John adds an explanation,
"They [the disciples] still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to
rise from the dead" (v. 9).
Apart from the appearances of Jesus, the empty tomb was an enigma. The empty tomb by
itself does not guarantee the bodily resurrection of Jesus, on the other hand, the bodily
resurrection of Jesus requires an empty tomb.
Physical Senses
The bodily character of Jesus' resurrection is also attested by the fact that His body made
an impression on the physical senses:
"Suddenly Jesus met them [the disciples]. 'Greetings,' He said. They came to Him,
clasped His feet and Jesus said, 'Do not hold on to [detain] Me, for I have not yet
returned to the Father'" (v. 17).
Jesus complied with Thomas' test to prove the resurrection in that he was to touch the
same body with his own hands:
"Then He [Jesus] said to Thomas, 'put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out
your hand and put it into My side'" (v. 27).
Thomas' response was literally, "My [the] Lord and my [the] God" which is translated,
"My Lord and my God." This attests to Jesus' preeminence over death and thus His absolute
deity.
Jesus' body was not only capable of being seen and felt, but His voice was capable of
being heard. Jesus said to Thomas, "see My hands" (v. 27). Jesus addressed Mary of Magdala,
"Mary." The Bible states that Mary "turned toward Him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!'"
(which means "Teacher"—v. 16). Could it be that Mary recognized Jesus by the tone of His
voice when He pronounced her name?
Jesus was also capable of eating. This does not mean that He needed to eat, only that He
could if He wished. He ate a piece of fish in the presence of His disciples (Lk 24:22-23). Jesus'
presence was in tangible, visible, bodily form. The phrase "in their presence" suggests that Jesus
ate for the disciples' benefit . . . as a further sign or proof that His risen body was a real physical
body.