Resurrection Bodies
21 April 2019 PM – Luke 24 – Resurrection – Scott Childs
Introduction: Last week in 1 John 3:2, we talked briefly of our future immortal bodies. Being resurrection Sunday, I thought it would be fitting to examine facts about Christ’s resurrection body as well as other facts about our heavenly bodies to get us excited about eternity with the Lord.
Transition: One day believers will be like Christ. This evening I want to examine Luke 24 and other Scriptures to identify qualities of Jesus’ resurrected body.
1. Facts about Christ’s resurrection body.
a. Jesus’ earthly physical body was changed, v.3
1) His body was no longer in the grave, v.3
2) His body was risen from the grave, v.6
3) His body was now living and immortal, v.5,
a) (1 Corinthians 15:42) “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:“
b) (1 Corinthians 15:53) “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.“
b. Jesus’ new body looked like a human body, v.15
1) Jesus walked like every other human, v.15
2) He looked like every other human, v.15
3) He could disguise himself to hide His identity, v.16
a) (Mark 16:12) “After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.“
b) (John 21:12) “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.“
c. Jesus’ body could hear and talk, v.17
1) He heard their conversation, v.17
2) He talked with the men, v.17
3) He explained the Bible to them, v.25-27
d. Jesus’ body could think and remember, v.27
1) He recalled Scripture
2) He explained Scripture
3) He still knew all His disciples.
e. Jesus’ body could vanish and suddenly appear, v.31, 36
1) He simply disappeared, v.31. The word here simply means He became invisible.
2) He suddenly appeared to the disciples, v.36
a) (John 20:19) “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.“
b) (John 20:26) “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.“
f. Jesus’ body could be touched, v.39
1) He had visible hands and feet like a physical body.
2) He was the same person as before, “It is I myself”.
3) He encouraged the disciples to touch him.
a) (Matthew 28:9) “And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.“
b) (John 20:17) “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.“
c) (John 20:27) “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.“
g. Jesus’ body had flesh and bones, v.39
1) He was not a spirit being.
2) The disciples could see His body structure.
a) (Acts 2:31) “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.“
b) (Colossians 2:9) “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.“
h. Jesus’ body still had crucifixion scars, v.40
1) He showed these to his disciples
2) (John 20:27) “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.“
3) (Revelation 5:6) “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.“
4) (Acts 1:10-11) “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.“
5) Evidently, we will maintain some of our physical characteristics – hopefully not the unwanted ones!
i. Jesus’ body was able to eat and drink, v.42-43
1) The disciples gave Jesus fish and honeycomb and he ate it before them.
2) (Acts 10:41) “Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.“
3) (John 21:13) “Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.” Jesus was able to cook and serve others.
j. Jesus’ body was able to ascend into heaven, v.51
1) (Acts 1:9) “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.“
2. Other facts about our resurrection bodies
a. Resurrection bodies will be like Christ’s body
1) (1 John 3:2) “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.“
2) (Philippians 3:21) “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.“
b. Resurrection bodies will be more powerful
1) (1 Corinthians 15:43) “It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:“
2) What this means, we are not sure.
c. Resurrection bodies will be similar to those of angels
1) We will not marry, reproduce, or die
2) (Luke 20:36) “Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.“
3) (Matthew 22:30) “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.“,
d. Resurrection bodies will be glorious and never corrupt
1) (1 Corinthians 15:42) “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:“
2) (1 Corinthians 15:43) “It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:“
e. Resurrection bodies will be spiritual rather than natural
1) (1 Corinthians 15:44) “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.“
2) We will no longer have our earthly needs.
Conclusion: One day every true Christian will get a new body as we zoom into God’s presence. That body will be like the immortal body Christ had when He resurrected.
I wonder if our new bodies will be like those of Adam and Eve before they sinned. We will have to wait and see.
The facts we examined this evening give us a little better picture of what our heavenly bodies will be like. Amen!
Song: O to Be Like Thee! 316