Have you ever taken the time to understand what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means for the true believer? It is quite interesting. Here is what happened after Jesus Christ rose from the dead and appeared before his closest followers:
“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.” (Luke 24:36-40)
The first thing you notice is that the closest and most intimate followers of Jesus Christ were terrified when they saw him. Their response was totally normal because Jesus was brutally killed on a bloody cross not long before. If we had been there, we would have probably reacted in the same way when we saw him. All of them thought that they had seen a spirit (ghost), and that too was normal because nothing like this had ever happened before in the history of humanity! They were left staring at a ghost who looked exactly like the Jesus whom they walked with for over three years. Jesus did not miss the terrified look upon their faces and so he asked them why they were troubled. I wish that I could have seen an actual video of that incredible moment, but I will have to rely upon the scriptures for which I am eternally grateful. Jesus asked his followers why thoughts were rising in their hearts because he knew that they thought he was a spirit (ghost). That is the reason why Jesus invited them to come and handle and examine him, so that they might see for themselves that he had flesh and bones just like them. Jesus wanted them to know and see for themselves that he had conquered sin and death for people just like us. Millions have been seduced by organizations such as the Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) who do not believe in the deity of Jesus Christ (that Jesus is God), and they teach that Jesus Christ rose in a spirit form only. They also teach that the body and flesh of Jesus was possibly disintegrated into atoms by Jehovah God. Not only that but they believe that Jesus Christ was Michael the archangel, and after the ascension he became Michael again. Perhaps that explains why Jesus Christ did what he did when he rose from the dead, and here is what happened next.
“And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:41-47)
Jesus wanted to seal the deal right then and there regarding his conquest over death for mankind and that he was indeed their risen Christ (Messiah) and Lord! So, what did he do? He shared a fish dinner with them which is something that a spirit (ghost) would not have been able to do. Jesus ate of the food which they provided right in front of them to bring home that point. Right after that Jesus opened their understanding (only God can do that) and he connected the Old Testament prophecies from Moses, the prophets and the Psalms and showed how they pointed to him, and that they were fulfilled in him alone. The bottom line is that Jesus Christ gave them the gospel message that would be preached throughout the world. The message was all about HIMSELF, and how HE conquered sin and death for men and women throughout the world. Jesus told them to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in HIS name, and to begin that preaching at Jerusalem! There is no other message for mankind that will ever land a lost soul into Heaven outside of that message! If you have been born again of the Spirit (John 3:1-8), then God will raise you up to be with him forever!
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive) your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11)
“And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” (1 Corinthians 6:14)