This is the first of a series of several articles that will appear in the paper
to make people think about the evidence for the resurrection.
At first glance, one may find it strange that someone could believe that 2,000 years ago there was One who overcame the grave. Perhaps some assume that Christians simply accept it by faith, without any kind of evidence. After all, we know that dead people stay dead. If someone claimed to be raised from the dead today, we would assume they were playing a practical joke or there was a better explanation. But faith is not blind and God gives evidence for beliefs. So, how could one believe in the resurrection?
1. Jesus died by crucifixion
First, all four gospel accounts report Jesus died by crucifixion (Mt. 27:35, 50; Mk. 15:24, 37; Lk. 23:36, 39, 46; Jn. 19:17-18, 30). Second, five ancient sources outside of the New Testament report Jesus was executed by crucifixion (Josephus, Tacitus, Lucian, Mara Bar Serapion Letter, and Talmud). Third, Jesus was guarded by Roman soldiers (Mt. 27:54; Mk. 15:16-20, 39; Lk. 23:36-37, 47; Jn. 19:23) and they are the ones who informed Pilate that he died (Mk. 15:42-45; Jn. 19:31-35). Roman soldiers were near a lot of dead bodies and they knew what a dead body looked like! They were at his cross and testified that Jesus really died. Lastly, on March 21, 1986 the Journal of the American Medical Association (a prestigious medical journal) contained an article written by three doctors explaining that Jesus died on the cross as a result of the trauma he experienced.
2. The tomb was empty
A large crowd followed Jesus to the cross (Lk. 23:27). Jesus’ death was so public that everyone, from commoners to high-ranking government officials, knew about it (Lk. 24:18; Acts 26:24-26). The place where Jesus was crucified was public and many who were passing by saw Him on the cross (Mt. 27:39; Mk. 15:29; Jn. 19:20).
The enemies of Jesus approached the governor Pilate asking for security at Jesus’ tomb because they feared that Jesus’ disciples would steal his body (Mt. 27:62-66). However, when the guard returned with the news that the tomb was empty (knowing the disciples did not steal the body) the religious leaders bribed the guards to lie (Mt. 28:11-15). The enemies of Jesus had to procure a cover story for why the tomb was empty! This is good evidence that the tomb was indeed empty. As a matter of fact, the enemies of Jesus never made an attempt to produce the body of Jesus, but attempted to explain the empty tomb by claiming the disciples stole the body.
If the disciples stole the body and lied about the resurrection, why were they willing to die for what they knew was a lie? Seven ancient sources testify the disciple’s willingness to suffer and die for belief (Book of Acts in the NT, Clement of Rome (AD 95), Ignatius (c. AD 110), Polycarp (c. AD 110), Tertullian (c. AD 200) and Eusebius, the father of church history records (c. AD 325) three more: Dionysius of Corinth (c. AD 170), Tertullian (c. AD 200) and Origen (c. AD 230-250). One might object that people die for a lie all the time. This is true. However, people die because they believe something. The disciples were in the unique position to know the truth of what they taught. They would have known if they had stolen the body and seen Jesus after His death. No one dies for what they know is a lie. Liars make lousy martyrs.
Finally, the disciples began preaching the resurrection of Jesus 50 days after His very public and humiliating death. Their message was first preached in the very place (Jerusalem) He was executed. People could have easily investigated to see if the tomb was empty! The original hearers of the message would have had an easy job of investigating the claims of Christianity. Many did and many came to believe Jesus conquered death.
To be continued…
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