“Touch Me and see that a ghost does not have flesh and bones as I do.” —Luke 24:39

The first reaction to the risen Christ was and is: “In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost” (Lk 24:37). Jesus tried to change that first impression by showing His nail-scarred hands and feet and by eating a piece of fish (Lk 24:40, 42-43). They still thought He was a ghost. “Then He opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures” (Lk 24:45), but the apostles still stayed behind locked doors (Jn 20:26). Only through the reception of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday did the disciples move from a ghostly awareness of the risen Jesus to a confirmed faith in Him.

The Holy Spirit is the down payment on and confirmation of all God’s works, including Jesus’…