Conforming Us

The resurrected body of Jesus teaches us much about our resurrection bodies. The risen Jesus appeared in the same body that had been crucified. His wounds were apparent; his new body was very much like what he had prior to death. He was recognizable. Although on some occasions, such as with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, people did not immediately recognize him, some familiar mannerism or expression eventually showed them that he was indeed the Lord. Also, his body could be touched by Thomas or other disciples. He was no disembodied spirit or ghost. He ate food with his disciples after the resurrection on more than one occasion, as recorded in Luke 24 and John 21.

Our ultimate end is to be like Christ; therefore, the Holy Spirit is increasingly conforming us to the image of God’s dear Son. Paul says in Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” The Spirit of Christ is a marvelous guarantee of our ultimate destiny in his work in our lives. But even more marvelous is the truth that our existence will be ultimately like that of the risen Christ. That is what we, as his people, can look forward to.

Excerpt From
What is Resurrection?
by Joel R. Beeke