Touch Me and See: Not a Ghost
Month 12: Risen & Sending · Heart Matters
Today's Scripture
Read together: Luke 24:36-43
36 While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 37 But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit. 38 “Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. 41 While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and He took it and ate it in front of them.
Memory Verse
“They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?””— Luke 24:32 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Colossians 2-4
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Rooted in Christ, set your mind on things above, and let His peace rule in your hearts.)The Heart of It
The two Emmaus disciples burst back into the room to tell the others. Suddenly Jesus Himself stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." But instead of joy, they were "startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit" (). A ghost! So Jesus did the most tender, practical thing. He held out His hands and feet. "Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." And to settle it completely, He asked, "Do you have anything here to eat?" Then He ate a piece of broiled fish right in front of them. The risen Jesus is not a glowing memory or a feeling in the heart. He rose bodily. The same Jesus who walked the dusty roads of Galilee stood there, scars and all, eating fish.
Here is the heart matter for us. Jesus meets fear with gentleness, and doubt with evidence. He does not scold His friends for being scared. He patiently gives them proof. That tells us something about His heart toward us when we are afraid or unsure. He invites us to come and check. "Touch Me and see." And His bodily resurrection means our hope is not just spiritual escape. It is real, physical, forever life. Because He rose with a body, we who belong to Him will one day rise too (). The scars are still there. They are proof of love that went all the way to the cross. They are proof that the grave could not keep Him. So when fear knocks on your heart, hear the risen Jesus say, "Peace be with you. It is I Myself."
Around the Table
The friends were scared and thought Jesus was a ghost! So Jesus said, "Touch My hands! Look, I'm really here," and He ate some fish. He was really, truly alive!
Let's do it: Wiggle your fingers and toes — Jesus showed His real hands and feet. He has a real body, and so do we!
Jesus didn't get angry that His friends were scared. He gently gave them proof — His hands, His feet, even eating fish.
Let's talk: When you're scared or unsure, how does it help to know Jesus is gentle and patient with you?
Luke piles up physical proofs. A body they could touch. The scars. Jesus even eating food. He shows that Jesus rose bodily, not as a vision. And His risen body is the promise of ours.
Let's go deeper: Why does it matter that the resurrection was bodily, and not just "Jesus living on in their hearts"?
💬 Conversation Starter
Imagine someone you thought had died walked into the room. What would convince you it was really them?— Jesus let His friends touch Him, and He let them watch Him eat!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
A made-up resurrection would have Jesus appear glorious and untouchable. Instead He says, "Touch Me," and He eats fish. That is the opposite of a ghost story. The Gospel writers report awkward, physical details because they were describing what truly happened ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Notice the pastoral genius of Jesus. He says "Peace" first. Then He offers proof. Only then does He open their minds to the Scriptures (). Comfort, then evidence, then understanding. That is the order. When your children come to you afraid, or wrestling with a real doubt, resist the urge to lead with correction. Lead with peace. Jesus did not treat honest fear as rebellion. He met it with His scarred, open hands. There is also rich gospel here for your own heart. The resurrection guarantees that redemption is physical and final. Christianity does not promise that we escape our bodies into a misty heaven. It promises resurrection. A renewed creation. Scars healed. Death undone. That is a hope sturdy enough to carry a family through real grief. Teach your kids that the same Jesus who ate fish in that room is alive today. And teach them that He is gentle with the frightened.
Draws on: Sam Storms, A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ.
Let's Pray Together
"Lord Jesus, thank You that You really rose, with a body, scars and all. Thank You that You are gentle with us when we're afraid. Speak Your peace to our hearts. And give us the sure hope that because You live, we will live too. In Jesus' name, amen."
Jesus rose bodily. He is gentle with my fears, scarred by His love, and alive forever.