I 'There is much mystery about the n4ture of Jesus' body after the resurrection. It was a tangible body: the disciples saw Jesus (Mark 16:14; John 20:18; 1 Cor. 9: 1, etc.), and he talked with them (Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:17, 25ff., etc.). The women who met with him on the path clasped His feet (Matt. 28:9), and apparently Mary Magdalene, too, clung to Him. He invited Thomas to handle His body (John 20.27). There is no evidence that Thomas did so, but it is most unlikely that Jesus would have invited Him to if it had not been possible. He ate in the presence of the disciples (Luke 24:42, 43). All of this indicates that his was a real body; he was no ghost" (Ray Summers, The Life Beyond, pp. 45, 46).

"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" (Lk. 24:38,39). Yes, Jesus was in His physical body, "the body of his flesh." Assuredly, he was no ghost. However, there is much speculation about other aspects of His body because of His appearance to the disciples in a secured room (Jn. 20:19), and His vanishing "out of their sight" (Lk. 24:31). But why the amazement? Certainly, the man who could walk on the water and traverse a stormy sea (Mk. 6:48), and who could restore a severed ear (Lk. 22:51), could also miraculously appear and disappear. There is no need to suppose that Jesus' body was different after His resurrection. It was the same flesh that'was killed that was raised (Acts 2:31,32). He is not now in His physical body (Heb. 5:7; Phil. 3:21; 1 Jn. 3:2), but He was between His resurrection and ascension (2 Tim. 2: 8).

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 19, p. 598
October 6, 1983