“While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24:15,16
The famous pair on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize the resurrected Jesus even though he came near. Neither did they see while he interpreted the scriptures for them (v27). They didn’t get it until Jesus sat with them at the table and broke bread. Jesus then vanishes, so they hurry back to Jerusalem to find “the eleven and their companions gathered together”(v33), and tell how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus then breaks in on the whole surprised bunch. “They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost.” Addressing their doubt and fear at the appearance of one who was supposed to be dead, Jesus appeals to their physical senses, “Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet” (vv37-40).
He just wont let them ignore the tangible nature of this reality, so he asks for food and eats it while they watch. It is only after these physical demonstrations that he “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (v45).
“ Look…and see…Touch me and see”. Or, “Taste and see” as the psalmist says (Ps 34:8). You can touch because God will not be untouchable. Our faith is not confined to ghostly concepts, theory and second-hand. You can feel your way to faith because God is made available to touch in this self-revelation.
Sometimes even truthful words seem like an “idle tale” (v11), without a firsthand tandem experience. So this is no “Touch not; taste not; handle not” (Col. 2:21) religion. It awakens not only the “spiritual” senses, it awakens ALL the senses.
“The word was made flesh,” (Jn 1), so we are encouraged to go about “handling the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15). The Word will forever be available in the flesh because of the resurrection. Jesus is experienced in the flesh still today through his body, the church (i.e., you and me). Those struggling to believe need to hear the words of scripture, but just as important, they need to be with (touching and being touched), at the table, breaking bread, eating in the presence of companions.
Wrapping your mind around the reality of God made known (intimately known) in this physical world may require getting your hands on it, and sinking your teeth into it.
For some, their motive for touching may be for no good, “the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners”(v7), but the offer to touch still stands. For even in broken bread he is made known (or, especially in broken bread). Taste and see.