divine flesh and bone

"The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way,

and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this,

he stood in their midst and said to them,

'Peace be with you.'

But they were startled and terrified

and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

Then he said to them, 'Why are you troubled?

And why do questions arise in your hearts?

Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.

Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones

as you can see I have.'

And as he said this,

he showed them his hands and his feet.

While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,

he asked them, 'Have you anything here to eat?'

They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them."

(Lk. 24:35-43)

Imagine being in the room with the disciples when Jesus appears - and speaks, "Peace be with you." Imagine seeing him standing there in human form, still bearing the sacred wounds of the crucified, suffering God, yet appearing very much alive. 

Everyone is terrified, because they don't realize that what they are seeing is the human form of the resurrected God, and not a ghost. So what does Jesus do? 

He emphasizes his human form - those sacred wounds in his hands and feet, his flesh and bone - he invites them to touch him, and even eats in front of them - well, a ghost wouldn't eat! He emphasizes his human form, even after he has been glorified in the resurrection. 

Why did he do this? I'm sure there are many thoughts on the subject, but I think he did it to emphasize to the disciples, and by extension, to us - that even after his resurrection, his humanity was still just as intact as his divinity. The two are eternally bound up in each other - and when we seek the face of God, in a very true sense, we seek the human face of Christ. 

In his passion, death, and resurrection, Jesus did not give up his humanity. He fulfilled it. Thus, through his divine act of love, he became our greatest example - and yet, because he was human, remained our brother - so that we humans might learn how to live, through both the example of his divine love, and his humanity. He is God eternal, all powerful, and ever-present - but still desires to be close to us, and does not want us to be afraid to seek his face - even after fully realizing he is the resurrected, eternal God, from whom previous generations have hid their faces. Jesus is telling his disciples - and us - that he is still there, that he remains for us, in both his human and divine natures - our brother, our God - one who shared our flesh, yet who also created it! 

+Peace, and all good!