Observing the Resurrected Christ

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence. (Luke 24)

Thoughts: What we will be like is not completely known.  As Calvin indicated, heaven is our home but we don't know much about the furniture of heaven.  Yet, the hint of what we will be like for eternity is found in the resurrected Christ. We shall be like Him.  What will we be like in heaven?
       First, what Jesus was not like should be observed.  Jesus was an individual- not a simply part of a cosmic blob.  We keep our individuality and personality in heaven.  Jesus did not just become a spiritual ghost- with no body.  He was insistent on telling us he was not a ghost.  
     Jesus had flesh and bones.  Thomas could tough his wounds. He was touchable.  He wanted something to eat here.  He ate again with Peter on the seashore. Jesus could appear- going through a locked door (Jn. 20), and could talk and communicate.   But perhaps more than all the physical stuff- Jesus had peace and offered peace to everyone.  The Peace of God was full in Jesus. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me hope.  Help me to learn from you in so many new ways.