Even though Jesus had said he would rise from the dead, the women said he was alive, and Peter told them he was alive, the disciples couldn’t believe it because their eyes saw him die. 

What is Luke emphasizing and why?

Luke wanted his audience to know how concretely real the resurrection was. It wasn’t just a happy ending or a moral story. Luke wants us to know that even the disciples who walked with Jesus wrestled with the resurrection being true so it makes sense if it’s hard for us to believe, but it is true. 

There was theology for resurrection in Jewish culture, but it was only at the end of time for everyone. They assume Jesus is a ghost. 

Jesus proves that he isn’t a ghost. He can be touched. He isn’t a stunt double. He has the scars on his hands, feet, and side. He eats. This proves that when we are raised at the end of time we will also have a physical body. It was important to Jesus that they understood that eternity includes a physical reality. Their “disbelief for joy” wasn’t sin or refusing to believe. It was too good to be true. If it is true it is the most important reality of the coming Kingdom of God. 

It doesn’t matter how much you want other ways to be true, the only way to life is through Jesus. He said it and proved it. It is the most important thing that you will either choose to accept or reject. 

What kind of body did Jesus have when resurrected and why is that important?

Jesus proves his physicality over and over by having them touch him and eat with them. He also shows them over and over that he isn’t restrained by physics. He has a body that is equally at home in both heaven and earth. Our bodies currently are bound to earth only, but in the resurrection we will be like Him.