Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 176
176 concealing his identity and would tell his disciples not to disclose to anyone that he was alive. In fact, the New. Testament has it that he would not tell even the disciples his whereabouts. Possibly he lived in the house of Joseph Arimathides. For, it is mentioned that the Messiah would suddenly put in an appearance and would, after a short while, disappear. . CAN SPIRIT EAT HONEY?. Once when he came to the disciples, they would not believe their eyes that the Messiah in person was standing before them. Thereupon he asked if they had some food. . They gave him a piece of broiled fish and honey and he ate before them and then they believed that it was Jesus they were beholding (St. Luke, ch. 24:41-43). . It is quite evident that no spirit would do anything of the sort. Only the body would do this. But, since, according to the state law he had been sentenced to be hanged on the. Cross, had he been apprehended, he would have been hanged again; it was imperative that he should keep underground and should not disclose his hide-out even to the disciples. . In short, it is clear beyond doubt, from the accounts of the New Testament that the Messiah did not die on the Cross; that, on the contrary, he remained alive on it, remained alive in the sepulchre and rose alive from there and told the disciples that he was alive. It is very revealing indeed when the New Testament says that when Thomas learnt that the. Messiah was alive, he said he would not believe until he had seen in his hands "the print of nails" and had put his fingers into them. Thereupon the Messiah called Thomas and said "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side," to see for himself whether he was the self-same Messiah and was not a spirit (St. John, ch. 20:24-29).