More On The Resurrection (Body)

Friends,

As we talked this morning in Bible class, a discussion arose as to whether "the Gardener" (Jesus) whom Mary saw just following the Resurrection was some "sort of vision" or "actually Jesus in spiritual body." I have to believe the latter, as a short time later (at least according to John's account) Jesus simply "appears" (no indication He used the door :-) among the disciples in a room (20:19), but is still able to "be tangible." So...He had a body that apparently could pass through walls and yet, still be touched by Thomas -- amazing! That Mary would grasp Jesus and then for Jesus to tell her..."don't hold to me" (which would seem to indicate that He was not really there in the flesh, but would -- in spiritual body form -- be going back to the Father) indicates that He was certainly aware of the differences between the physical body and the spiritual, and that He wasn't long for this world, but would come back again one day. We know that "flesh and blood cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven"(1 Corinthians 15:50), so there had to be a transformation, as it appears that there was, so that He could go to be with the Father in heaven, and so..."to be preparing a place for us," so to speak (John 14:1ff). (And I am not even going to get into detail concerning what kind of body we will have at this time -- not enough space :-), but I will say that John reveals..."dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (1 Jn 3:2, NIV). Some have surmised that this "spiritual body" was also that form that was seen on "the Mount of Transfiguration" (Matthew 17:1ff), as Jesus stood all aglow with Moses and Elijah. There would seem to be a good case that could be made that "we" (humans) were receiving a glimpse of Jesus in His "spiritual body" state. Regardless, one would have to consider that Jesus had to be "greatly relieved" to be rid of the physical body that he had "been burdened" with which He received at birth (the Incarnation). Someone once said...how difficult it must have been for Jesus -- as deity -- even to have to consider coming down to be a man of flesh...what love it took to even come to earth in the first place (before He would even endure the cruel agony of the cross). This is interesting. Of all "types of bodies" seen in the Scripture, it is apparent that the physical has the greatest of disadvantages, yet...it houses "a great treasure" (2 Corinthians 4:7) -- a soul and spirit (Hebrew 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:23). I thank the Lord for giving us the life and personality (housed in the body) that will one day be transformed "instantly" (1 Corinthians 15:52) into a body that will be able to dwell for eternity. It all makes one wonder how on earth those who would follow certain "eastern religions" would want to come back HERE. This is not what Jesus wanted, nor did Paul (Philippians 1:21)...and neither should we -- but to dwell in "the house of the Lord" (John 14:1ff) -- in spiritual/eternal form forever.

Don