Luke 24:39 - Exposition

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. "See," he says, inviting the terror-stricken disciples to a calm, unaffrighted contemplation—"see my hands and my feet pierced with the nails which fastened them to the cross; it is I myself. " Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have . The first words quietly told the awe-struck ones to look closely at him, and to ascertain from the dread marks he bore that what they looked upon was Jesus their Master. Then he proceeded to bid them touch him, handle him, and so assure themselves that it was no phantom, no bodiless spirit, that stood before them. These words of the Lord, and the invitation, "handle me, and see," made the deepest impression on the hearers. These, then, were proofs of the Resurrection that admitted of no shadow of doubt. These words, this sight, changed their lives. What cared they afterwards for men and men's threatenings? Death, life, to them were all one. They had seen the Lord, they had handled with their hands "that which was flora the beginning" (see 1 John 1:1 ). Browning forcibly puts this thought which so influenced the first great teachers. The dying St. John is dwelling on the thought that when he is gone there will be none left with men who saw and touched the Lord.

"If I live yet, it is for good, more love

Through me to men: be nought but ashes here

That keep awhile my semblance, who was John.

Still, when they seater, there is left on earth

No one alive who knew (consider this!),

Saw with his eyes, and handled with his hands,

That which was from the first, the Word of life.

How will it be when none more saith, 'I saw'?"

('A Death in the Desert.')