St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Was the risen Jesus a ghost?

When Jesus appeared to the small group of his friends, in Jerusalem shortly after he was crucified, they were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. At least, that's the way Luke's gospel describes them (Luke 24:37).

Who's to say whether their first impressions were correct? Maybe this "risen Jesus" was a phantom - a figment of their imagination?

I don't believe he was just a ghost. Here's why ...

1) Ghosts are scary, but Jesus gives joy. It's true that the disciples are frightened to begin with, but this first impression doesn't last. Very soon "they were filled with great joy" (v52). A mere ghost couldn't do that.
2) Ghosts are fuzzy, but Jesus is clear. Ghosts are blurry round the edges and they float above the floor instead of walking on it. But Jesus' friends could see the marks on his hands and feet (v40) - Jesus was definitely distinct.
Jesus was also very distinct in what he said: no vague impressions or confusion or obscure prophecies such as you might get from a session with a medium. Instead he brought clarity and direction to his followers' understanding of reality and their mission in the world.
3) Ghosts are intangible, but Jesus can touch. Ghosts walk through walls and you can't grasp their hands or feel their bodies. But Jesus challenged his friends (v39): "Touch me and see - a ghost doesn't have flesh and blood as you see I have."
4) Ghosts can't eat or drink or move objects in the real world, but Jesus makes a physical difference. The effect of a ghost is all about the feeling of fear or shock in our reactions, but Jesus could do things on his own. As they still weren't sure, Jesus took and ate some fish in their presence (v43). He can still do so today - that's why the church prays for healing when people are sick.

Christians talk about Jesus' "spiritual" presence with us, so you might get the impression Jesus was just a ghost. Not a bit of it! It's quite clear from the gospels that Jesus was really alive again, and that's why his first disciples were so much affected by his resurrection.

And some prominent churchmen, for instance the former bishop of Durham, have said that the main point of the resurrection is the spiritual impact on the disciples, and it is a mistake to focus on the physical. I disagree. The physical is the foundation of the spiritual, and if Jesus hadn't really risen the spiritual side of Christianity might be interesting, but it would have no basis in reality.

When I was younger I used to watch "Scooby Doo" on children's TV - the famous hungry hound who was part of a ghostbusting outfit. By the end of each episode the ghost would always be exposed as a fraud created by a villain after personal gain. But if Scooby Doo and partners were to investigate Jesus, they'd find he was genuine 100% risen again, with 0% spook-factor.

Time for a song: what better tune than Scooby Doo? The words are taken from Luke's account of what Jesus did and said in front of the disciples, in Luke 24:36-53.

Jesus is our King (Tune: Scooby Doo)

Jesus is our King!
Let us sing!
He calls us to believe him.
He’s alive and well,
He will dwell
in us, if we receive him.

He came and stood among his followers
and showed them all his hands and his side.
(Blood all dried.)
He came and asked them for some food to eat
and showed them he could eat fish fried.
(Open wide!)

He came to open up our minds so we can
understand the bible is true.
(Read it through.)
He came to send his Holy Spirit on his
followers, on me and you.
(Yes, it's true!)

(With thanks to August Mosco, an on-line friend through Christian Songwriters Organisation, for some help with the words of the chorus.)

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. April 2005, Pages 1-2.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (April 2005) Jesus a Ghost? Abortion, Annual Meeting, Church Survey. Other vicar's letters. Other songs.	Was the risen Jesus a ghost? When Jesus appeared to the small group of his friends, in Jerusalem shortly after he was crucified, they were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. At least, that's the way Luke's gospel describes them (Luke 24:37). Who's to say whether their first impressions were correct? Maybe this "risen Jesus" was a phantom - a figment of their imagination? I don't believe he was just a ghost. Here's why ... 1) Ghosts are scary, but Jesus gives joy. It's true that the disciples are frightened to begin with, but this first impression doesn't last. Very soon "they were filled with great joy" (v52). A mere ghost couldn't do that. 2) Ghosts are fuzzy, but Jesus is clear. Ghosts are blurry round the edges and they float above the floor instead of walking on it. But Jesus' friends could see the marks on his hands and feet (v40) - Jesus was definitely distinct. Jesus was also very distinct in what he said: no vague impressions or confusion or obscure prophecies such as you might get from a session with a medium. Instead he brought clarity and direction to his followers' understanding of reality and their mission in the world. 3) Ghosts are intangible, but Jesus can touch. Ghosts walk through walls and you can't grasp their hands or feel their bodies. But Jesus challenged his friends (v39): "Touch me and see - a ghost doesn't have flesh and blood as you see I have." 4) Ghosts can't eat or drink or move objects in the real world, but Jesus makes a physical difference. The effect of a ghost is all about the feeling of fear or shock in our reactions, but Jesus could do things on his own. As they still weren't sure, Jesus took and ate some fish in their presence (v43). He can still do so today - that's why the church prays for healing when people are sick. Christians talk about Jesus' "spiritual" presence with us, so you might get the impression Jesus was just a ghost. Not a bit of it! It's quite clear from the gospels that Jesus was really alive again, and that's why his first disciples were so much affected by his resurrection. And some prominent churchmen, for instance the former bishop of Durham, have said that the main point of the resurrection is the spiritual impact on the disciples, and it is a mistake to focus on the physical. I disagree. The physical is the foundation of the spiritual, and if Jesus hadn't really risen the spiritual side of Christianity might be interesting, but it would have no basis in reality. When I was younger I used to watch "Scooby Doo" on children's TV - the famous hungry hound who was part of a ghostbusting outfit. By the end of each episode the ghost would always be exposed as a fraud created by a villain after personal gain. But if Scooby Doo and partners were to investigate Jesus, they'd find he was genuine 100% risen again, with 0% spook-factor. Time for a song: what better tune than Scooby Doo? The words are taken from Luke's account of what Jesus did and said in front of the disciples, in Luke 24:36-53. Jesus is our King (Tune: Scooby Doo) Jesus is our King! Let us sing! He calls us to believe him. He’s alive and well, He will dwell in us, if we receive him. He came and stood among his followers and showed them all his hands and his side. (Blood all dried.) He came and asked them for some food to eat and showed them he could eat fish fried. (Open wide!) He came to open up our minds so we can understand the bible is true. (Read it through.) He came to send his Holy Spirit on his followers, on me and you. (Yes, it's true!) (With thanks to August Mosco, an on-line friend through Christian Songwriters Organisation, for some help with the words of the chorus.) John Hartley
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