Jesus' post resurrection, post ascension body
In order to convince His unbelieving disciples that He had risen from the dead, Jesus chose a form of body that they were familiar with the most, His earthly human body. The women followers had no problem accepting that Jesus had risen from the dead, but the men needed more proof, and that is exactly what Jesus gave them. He said to them,
He then ate in front of them, a very 'alive' thing to do. Jesus even performed a post resurrection miracle that 'sealed the deal' for their belief, He met His disciples by the Sea of Galilee while they were fishing (with nothing to show for their effort) and told them where to cast their net, which they did, and hauled in a huge catch of fish. John immediately recognized his Lord, and after that meeting all of the disciples were believers.
Jesus had changed His form in the past, in the transfiguration He presented Himself as Jesus God in His glorious state. In O.T. times Jesus appeared in many different forms; the Angel of the Lord, as a man who wrestled Jacob, as the Captain of Jehovah's Army, a pillar of fire and a pillar of smoke, a voice from the midst of a burning bush, just to name a few. So Jesus deliberately chose the form He did for His post resurrection body to convince His disciples it was really Him. They had to be sure of the resurrection in order to be faithful, reliable witnesses of His. After all, the entire gospel is based on a Living Savior!
Paul tells us that our resurrected bodies will be like that of the angels, a spiritual body. Jesus' body, post ascension, is His Glorious and Majestic Heavenly body that He revealed to Peter, James and John. We saw from the transfiguration that Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious spiritual bodies as well, a little glimpse of our future bodies. —Jim
Paul's conclusion on the resurrection
Chapter 15 of 1st Corinthians gives us a true insight to Paul's intellectual prowess and his Spirit lead defense of the gospel of Christ by vanquishing the false teachings of heretics and restoring peace to the flock at Corinth.
The arguments presented by Paul against them were both awe inspiring and entertaining.
- Awe inspiring because observing Paul use truth, logic and the word of God as both an offensive and defensive weapon to dispatch the foolishness of doctrinal despots amazes me and makes me want to be a better teacher and defender of the gospel
- and entertaining because it was done with such ease and force it was better than watching Moe of the Three Stooges handle the foolishness of Larry and Curley with face slaps, head cuffs and eye pokes!
After studying this subject for months we find that it is Paul who gives us the clearest picture of the resurrection process. What he most wants his readers to understand is this; that the gospel is as reliable as truth itself, and that we don't have to worry about death because death will be swallowed up in victory through Jesus Christ because of the resurrection. We will rise never to die again. As God clothed our naked soul in the womb with a body of flesh, God will clothe our souls once again after death with a glorious spiritual body, one that will never wear out, one suited for eternity.
After his long defense of the resurrection, Paul's conclusion on the subject is in verse 58, and it is this; be steadfast and immoveable in your faith in God and the gospel of Jesus our Savior, and be busy for the Lord, because this work is not in vain.
Let us have the attitude of our Lord,
—Jim