This came to me as I was preparing to "row" Storm in the Night and of course, reading about the resurrection this week:

The Resurrection in Five Senses

Jesus came to Earth and gave His followers this glorious opportunity to sense Him with their physical beings.  We can experience a reflection of these physical sensations in the world around us, but our experience is limited as our God has ascended.  We do however have an even greater sense by which we can know Him- our faith. 

As you read through the Gospel’s report of Jesus life here on Earth and His resurrection, contemplate the ways in which God allows us to use our 5 senses to know Him. 

Sight- The disciples were able to see and witness Jesus’ good works.  Following the resurrection, they saw Jesus in physical form and witnessed his ascension. (Luke 24)

We can see Jesus’ good works in the efforts of those who follow him. We can show others His love through our good works.  We can see a reflection of His great majesty, and a glimmer of the light of His being in the glow of a sunrise. We can imagine the glory of His ascension looking upon the clouds of an approaching thunderstorm.

Sound- The disciples heard His words both before and after his resurrection.  The sound of His voice brought recognition to Mary as she sought him at the tomb. (John 20:16)

We hear the joy that Jesus brings in the song of a bird, the singing of a hymn of praise, in the music of our world.  We can speak the Good News to others and sing His praises so that they may hear.

Taste- The disciples ate with Jesus both before and after his resurrection.  The sharing of food and its taste in their mouths made real His presence.  (Luke 24:30, 24:42-43))  They also ate of the fish that He directed them to net after His return from the grave. (John 21:12-13)

We are reminded of God’s goodness in the tastes of the foods He provides for us.  The taste of the bread and the wine taken during Holy Communion remind of us His body and blood and His great sacrifice for us.  (Luke 22:14)

Scent- Prior to His death, Jesus was anointed with sweet smelling perfumes.  (Matthew 26:6)  The women who followed him carried similarly scented perfumes and spices with them when they came to find His body and were greeted by an empty tomb.  (Luke 24:1) Remember too that His birth was heralded by scented gifts by the visiting wise men.  (Matthew 2:11)

God brings us the scents of spring, strong and fragrant to remind us of Jesus’ anointing.  Smell the strong scent of the tiny hyacinth or lilac and reflect on the scents the women experienced as they walked toward Jesus’ tomb that first Easter day. 

Touch- The disciples were treated to the physical presence of Christ.  Those who sought His aid were often healed by His touch. (Matthew 8:3, 8:15, 9:29…)  Thomas felt the holes that had been made in Jesus’ body by the crucifixion with his own hands and believed.  (John 20:27) 

We cannot touch Christ’s scarred body or feel His healing hands.  But we can feel the touch of our fellow Christian laying hands upon us in healing or wrapping arms around us in comfort and love. 

Above all we can feel His gift of the Holy Spirit working within us each day.  God has given us great gifts to sense His presence all around us and within us.

 See also: Psalm 19:1-2, Colossians 1:23, Roman 1:20, Romans 10:18 for ways in which God's presences is made know to all peoples through their senses.