Hovering over one of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances, this morning. A disconcerting experience, says Luke, one that “startled and frightened” those who had witnessed Jesus’ death and were now hearing stories that He was alive. A scary encounter of the divine kind because they “thought they saw a spirit” (Luke 24:37). A spirit, a disembodied soul — that was the only logical conclusion you’d come to if you were looking eyeball-to-eyeball with someone who you knew had died. But the resurrected Jesus was no apparition.

And [Jesus] said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

(Luke 24:38-40 ESV)

“I’m no spirit,” says Jesus, “For a spirit does not have flesh and bones.”

Hmm. Think about it. Jesus, today, is flesh and bones. The risen, ascended, seated at the right hand of the majesty on high Christ has a material body. Though God is spirit (Jn. 4:24), and Jesus is fully God (Jn. 1:1, Isa. 9:6, Rev. 1:17), yet in order to redeem us Jesus “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men . . . being found in human form” (Php. 2:6-8a). And that “human form” is a “flesh and bones” form forever.

But it is not the frail form of our fallen world, not an earthly body, but a heavenly body (1Cor. 15:40). A body which is imperishable, glorious, and infused with eternal power — not a body which is spirit, but a “spiritual body” (1Cor. 15:42-44). That’s why, one day, we will be able to see Him face to face (1Jn. 3:2, Rev. 22:4).

But as mind-stretching as that “flesh and bones” thought is, it’s Jesus’ invitation that captures the heart.

Touch me, and see.

It doesn’t say that the the disciples acted on Jesus’ offer, but the invitation was there nevertheless. Though they couldn’t believe what they were seeing, yet they did believe as they responded with “joy and were marveling” (Lk. 24:41). Like Thomas, they didn’t need to act on the opportunity to examine His hands with their fingers, nor take their hands and stick it in His side, but just hearing the invitation they too, in effect, responded with “My Lord and my God” (Jn. 20:27-28).

What will it be to see the flesh and bones of Jesus? To behold Him “who for a little while was made lower than the angels crowned with glory and honor” (Heb. 2:9)? To see Him as did Peter, John, and James on that mount where Jesus was transfigured — His face shining like the sun and His clothes white as light (Mt. 17:1-2)? What will it be to behold our Redeemer? What will it be to hear His voice? Might we also hear the same invitation, “Touch me, and see”?

I don’t know. But I imagine that if we did, rather than reaching out to touch Him it’s more likely we’d go facedown to worship Him.

So, why wait until then?

Hear His voice today . . .

“Touch Me and see.”

And then bow down and worship . . .

“My Lord and my God!”

All because of grace. Only for His glory.