formally recited every year in a regular order. Today we heard how the Lord
SERMON 2291
PREACHED ON THE WEDNESDAY AFTER EASTER
Date: 400-4101
May God pardon those who still think the Lord's resurrection was only spiritual, as he pardoned his apostles
1. The gospel readings about the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ are formally recited every year in a regular order. Today we heard how the Lord Christ showed his disciples his true flesh in which he had suffered and in which he rose again. They could hear him speaking, see him right there; and yet they also needed to touch him, since he said to them, Touch, feel, and see that a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you can see that I have (Lk 24:39). This was because they still doubted when they saw him, and thought they were seeing a spirit, not a body. So if there are any people who still think that the Lord's resurrection was not bodily, but only spiritual,2 may God pardon them, as he also pardoned his apostles; but provided they don't hang on to their error, and that they change their way of thinking, because the apostles also heard—and changed.
And what extraordinary consideration it was on his part, that after showing himself to them right there in the body, he w$s still ready to confirm it for them from the truth of holy scripture. These, he said, are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you. What's this? Wasn't he with them at that moment, talking to them? So what's the meaning of while I was still with youl Obviously, while I was still with you as a mortal, such as you are. These are the words that I spoke to you, that it was necessary for everything to be fulfilled that was written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures (Lk 24:44-45). It's he, the very one who died for us, that to this very day opens up for us the writings of life.
The apostles saw the head, believed about the body; we see the body, believe about the head
2. But let s see what he said to them. That thus, he said, it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and rise again from the dead on the third day, and for