Twenty centuries ago a most astonishing event occurred. A man rose from the dead. His name was Jesus Christ. Jesus himself had raised others from the dead, but once these individuals had lived out their days they died again. Jesus, on the other hand, rose from the dead with an immortal body and remained alive forever. And this is the hope of Christians, that Jesus Christ has overcome sin and death and offers eternal life to all who believe in him.

We are mortal beings. We all die. This is our experience. We do not see people dying and then rising from the grave. It is difficult for us to imagine this happening or even to believe it could happen. It was the same with Jesus’ disciples. Even though they had lived with him and heard his teachings for 3 years, they had difficulty conceiving and believing in his resurrection. Yet in the end, the evidence convinced them that it was true; and once they believed, it changed their lives.

A Christian friend of mine once said: “It’s not a question of how difficult it is to believe in (the resurrection of) Jesus Christ, it’s a question of, is it true?” We will explore the question. “Is it true?” in this series of four articles about the resurrection This first article recounts the Bible’s narrative of Jesus Christ’s life during the week leading up to and including his resurrection, and also recounts the 40 days during which he made appearances to his disciples. The second article provides evidence for his resurrection, the same evidence that convinced his disciples the resurrection was true. The third article presents critics’ objections to the resurrection and why these objections are invalid. And the last article discusses the meaning of the resurrection.

This narrative is provided to inform those who may not be familiar with the life of Jesus and to refresh the memories of those who have had exposure to this amazing story. As we will see, The last week of Jesus Christ’s life was extremely busy, very intense, even brutal, but in the end miraculous.

The Triumphal Entry: It began on Sunday when he made his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He came into the city humbly, yet declaring himself to be the promised Messiah-King, the Son of David. The people were looking for a political king, but he came as a humble, suffering, Servant-King.

The Fig Tree Cursed: On Monday Jesus cursed a fig tree which quickly died. The fig tree apparently represents Israel. Therefore this act pictures the demise of Israel as a nation, beginning with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. It also may symbolize the judgment of God on the Jewish leaders who were about to reject and kill their Messiah.

Cleansing the Temple: Then, Jesus entered the temple and drove out those buying and selling animals for sacrifice at unfair prices. He said, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:13. NIV.

Different Reactions to Jesus: Afterward, he stayed in the temple and healed the lame and the blind; and the children in the temple said, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” and praised God with joy. However, the chief priests and scribes were indignant and started looking for a way to kill him. Why? – Because they did not believe in him, were envious of him, and thought their authority was being threatened by him. And what was the crowd’s reaction? “Even though he had performed so many signs (miracles) in their presence they did not believe in him…. Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue.” John 12:37,42. HCSB.

A Voice From Heaven: On the next day, Tuesday, Jesus said, “The hour has come…my soul is troubled. What should I say – ‘Father save me from this hour?’ But that is why I came to this hour. Father Glorify your name! Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it and I will glorify it again!’ The crowd standing there heard it….” John 12:23,27-29. HCSB Here, the voice of God spoke audibly from heaven to confirm the path Jesus was taking to the cross and to predict his resurrection.

Jesus Teaching in the Temple: Then Jesus entered the temple; in fact, he spent a lot of time teaching in the temple during this week. Luke 21:37,38. NIV. There, he discussed weighty practical and theological issues, such as paying taxes (honoring government authority), the resurrection of the body, that all who have died are still alive (God is the God of the living and the God of the dead. Matthew 22:38. NIV), the two greatest commandments (Love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself), and the Deity of the Messiah.

The Jewish leaders question his authority. When in the temple, the Jewish leaders questioned his authority, but Jesus trapped them with a question of his own and confronted them for their unbelief with a series of parables. Later, Jesus condemned and denounced the Scribes and Pharisees directly and pointedly to their faces for their unbelief, hypocrisy, greed, self-indulgence, lawlessness, hate and for the murder that was in their hearts.

The Olivet Discourse: As Jesus and his disciples left the temple area, Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem which took place some 37 years later in 70 AD. When they got to the Mt. of Olives, Jesus described the signs of the end of the age and predicted his return in power and glory.

Preparation for Jesus’ Return: Jesus emphasized that we should be watchful and prepared for his return through faith and obedience. He said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered together before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you….’ Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'” Matthew 25:31-34,41. HCSB. Here Jesus indicated that he is the judge of all mankind, and that there is a reward or punishment waiting in eternity for people based on their response to Him.

Mary of Bethany Anoints Jesus: On Tuesday evening Jesus attended a dinner in Bethany. His friends, Martha – who served them, her brother Lazarus – who Jesus had raised from the dead, as well as their sister Mary, were all there. Mary “came with an alabaster jar of pure and expensive fragrant oil…. She broke the jar and anointed his head.” Mark 14:3. HCSB. When the disciples objected, Jesus said, “Leave her alone…. She has done a noble thing for me…. She has anointed my body in advance for burial.” Mark 14:6,8. HCSB.

Judas Agrees to betray Jesus: The next day, Wednesday, “Judas,” one of the twelve disciples, “went to the chief priests…and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented and looked for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them…” Luke 22:4-6. NIV.

The Passover Meal – The Last Supper: On Thursday Jesus instructed his disciples to prepare for the evening Passover Meal. After they gathered in an upper room, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an example of humility and service.

At the meal, Jesus plainly stated, “One of you will betray me.” John 13:21. NIV. After some discussion among the disciples, Jesus identified Judas as the betrayer. Judas then departed.

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'” Matthew 26:26-28. NIV. “Do this in remembrance of me,” he said, instituting the celebration of the Christian Communion. John 22:19. NIV.

During his last hours, Jesus talked with his disciples in a very personal way. He told them not to be troubled, that he was going away to prepare a place for them and that he would return. He made it clear that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life – the only way to the Father. He promised to send the Holy Spirit who would be present with them in his stead, teach them, and give them peace. He called them his friends, urged them to love one another, and warned them of the coming persecution. Then he prayed a marvelous prayer for strength to go to the cross, for help for his disciples, and for blessing for those who would believe through their message.

Then Jesus told his disciples that all of them would desert him and that Peter would deny knowing him three times before the rooster crowed twice. They all insisted they would not do this, yet a few hours later they did exactly what Jesus predicted.

The Garden of Gethsemane: After the Passover Meal, “They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed…. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death….’ Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed (Mark 14:32-35. NIV.), “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39. NIV. Jesus prayed this prayer three times; then Judas arrived with a mob which included armed temple guards.

When Peter resisted, Jesus said, “Do you think that I cannot call on My Father and He will provide Me at once with more than twelve legions of angels? How then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled….” Matthew 26:53,54. HCSB. So Peter put his sword away; and they arrested Jesus. “Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away.” Matthew 26:56. HCSB.

Three Jewish Trials: First Jewish Trial: “First, they led Him (Jesus) to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was (the) high priest….” John 18:13. HCSB. Annas questioned Jesus generally about his ministry, but Jesus was unwilling to be a witness against himself. This irritated a temple guard who responded by slapping Jesus.

Second Jewish Trial: The second trial took place after they took Jesus to Caiaphas, the high priest. There the scribes and elders gathered for a meeting of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. After the court had difficulty getting credible witnesses, Caiaphas asked Jesus directly if he was the Messiah. When Jesus replied that he was, the religious leaders responded with rage, accused Jesus of blasphemy, and said he deserved to die. Then they hit, slapped and beat him. Both Annas and Caiaphas had decided before the trials to condemn Jesus to death. There was never an intent to give Jesus a fair trial.

Peter followed at a distance. He entered the high priest’s courtyard and sat with the temple police, waiting to see what would happen. While there, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. The third time, Jesus looked directly at Peter and the rooster crowed. Peter went outside and wept bitterly.

Third Jewish Trial: It had to be daylight for the Sanhedrin to try a capital offense case (HCSB, p. 228), so they reconvened very early Friday morning for a third trial. (Mark 15:1. NIV.). They decided to charge Jesus with treason (not blasphemy), a charge they hoped would result in the death penalty by the Roman authorities. Again, they asked Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus told them that he would sit at the right hand of God. They asked if he was the Son of God. He replied in the affirmative. Then they tied him up, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the Roman governor.

Three Roman Trials: First Roman Trial: Pilate asked the Jews, “What charge do you bring against this man?” They equivocated. Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” John 18:29,31. HCSB. But they protested that they were not allowed to put anyone to death because they were under Roman law.

Then Pilate spoke with Jesus. He asked, “What have you done?” John 18:35. HCSB. Jesus replied that his kingdom was not of this world. Pilate returned to the Jews and said, “I find no grounds for charging him. John 18:38. HCSB. Then they accused Jesus of treason, saying many things against him. But he was silent and Pilate was amazed.

Second Roman Trial: When Pilate heard Jesus was from Galilee, he sent him to Herod who was governor of that region. Herod was glad to meet Jesus because he had heard about him and hoped to see him perform a miracle. Herod asked him many questions, but again Jesus was silent while the chief priests angrily accused him. Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus contemptuously by putting a royal robe on him and mocking him. Then he sent Jesus back to Pilate.

Third Roman Trial: “Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people and said to them,…’I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. Neither has Herod…. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore I will have him whipped and release him.'” Luke 23:13-16. HCSB.

But the Jews would have none of it. They shouted, “Crucify him” over and over. Then Pilate had Jesus flogged, his soldiers put a crown of thorns on his head, put a purple robe on him, and shouted, “King of the Jews,” while slapping him. “Pilate went out to the Jews again and said,…”I find no grounds for charging him.” John 19:4. HCSB.

Pilate spoke with Jesus again, telling him that he had the authority to release or crucify him. Jesus replied that he would have no power over him unless God had given it to him. When he heard that, “Pilate made every effort to release him, but the Jews shouted, ‘If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!'” John 19:12. HCSB.

Now it was about 6 AM Friday morning, and Pilate showed Jesus to the Jews again. But they continued to shout, “Crucify him.” “When Pilate saw he was getting nowhere,…he washed his hands in front of the crowd and said, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves.’ All the people answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!'” Matthew 27: 24,25. HCSB. Thus Pilate gave in to the illegal and murderous demands of the Jewish leaders and sent Jesus to be crucified.

Physical Weakness: On the way to be crucified, Jesus was so weak from the flogging and other abuses he had received he could not carry his cross, so the soldiers compelled a bystander to carry it for him. They took Jesus to Golgotha, the place called “The Skull,” and crucified him there at 9 AM Friday morning.

The Sign Over Jesus’ Head: Pilate had a sign placed above his head which read, “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews.” John 19:19. KJV. The Jewish leaders objected to this description of Jesus, but Pilate would not change it for them.

His Garments: Jesus’ garments were divided up by the soldiers among themselves and they cast lots for his cloak, fulfilling a prophecy in Psalm 22:18. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 KJV. As if all this wasn’t enough, the people and the Jewish leaders repeatedly insulted him and mocked him while he was hanging on the cross.

He Died With Criminals: “Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and one on the left.” Matthew 27:38. HCSB. One of the criminals insulted Jesus. The other said. “Don’t you even fear God…. We are punished justly…but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom!” Jesus responded, “I assure you: Today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:40-43. HCSB.

Supernatural Events: While Jesus was on the cross, several supernatural events occurred. “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land.” Matthew 27:45. This period of darkness is corroborated by three ancient historians, Thallus, Tertullian, and Phlegon. The latter said, “It became night in the sixth hour of the day (noon) so the stars even appeared in the heavens.” Their writings suggested that the darkness was seen as far away from Jerusalem as Rome and Athens and described it as a “cosmic (or world) event.” (From: Strobel, Lee. The Case For Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998, p 90-91.)

Just after Jesus bowed his head and died, “Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary (in the Jewish temple) was split in two from top to bottom.” Matthew 27:51. HCSB. This curtain was made of multiple layers of cloth and was very thick. It’s highly unlikely that even a group of men could have had the strength to pull this curtain apart. In any case, men would have pulled it apart from the bottom. This curtain was torn apart from the top by the hand of God, signifying that we can enter into the presence of God now because the price for sin has been paid.

Also there was an earthquake. “The earth quaked and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:51. HCSB. And, “When the centurion and those with him (soldiers), who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, ‘This man really was God’s Son.'” Matthew 27:54. HCSB. This hardened and cruel centurion and his soldiers had never seen anything like this in any of the many crucifixions they had conducted. They became convinced by the evidence of the darkness, earthquake and the manner in which Jesus died, that he was more than a mere man, that he was truly the Son of God.

Jesus’ Words on the Cross: Note the words Jesus spoke while he hung on the cross. He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. KJV. This is an astonishing statement. Who would even think about forgiving people who had been abusive in every way possible through an unjust trial, beatings, torture, excruciating pain, insults, mocking and death – when they were innocent? Jesus did! Then Jesus spoke to his mother and to John the apostle and asked him to care for her. Here again, he is showing compassion in the midst of extreme suffering.

Later, Jesus said, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46. NIV. The sins of the world were laid on Jesus when he was on the cross. He, the innocent one, was accepting the punishment for each person’s sins so that he could bestow his righteousness on those who would come to him in repentance and faith. God the Father is so holy that sin cannot even come into his presence; so he had to separate Himself from Jesus while Jesus bore our sins. Even during this separation, Jesus proclaimed that God was still His God. Jesus and the Father were in complete agreement that Jesus should bear the sins of the world; and this involved the deep pain of separation for a time, probably for the three hours of darkness. In total aloneness and pain Jesus remained certain that not only was God his God, but also that God, by implication, would raise him from the dead.

Just before his death, “Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’” John 19:30. NIV. In the original language (Greek), this means, “The debt is paid.” Here, Jesus is saying that he has completed the work of bearing all the sins of the world, and that the debt (or punishment) for these sins has been paid in full. Once this momentous task was completed, Jesus no longer had to suffer.

The Scripture continues, “With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30. NIV.), saying, “‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” Luke 23:46. NIV. The verbs “bowed” (his head), “gave up” (his spirit), and “commit” indicate to me that for Jesus, dying was an act of his will. He had chosen to allow himself to be beaten and placed on a cross, but he was still in total control throughout the entire ordeal.

The Centurion: Is it any wonder that the centurion who crucified him concluded that Jesus was the Son of God? When he witnessed the three hours of darkness at midday and the earthquake as well as the words Jesus spoke from the cross, how could he think otherwise?

He Was Pierced: The Jewish leaders “did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (day)…. They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken (which would hasten their death)…. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him. When they came to Jesus they did not break his legs since they saw he was already dead. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear and at once blood and water came out. …For these things happened that the Scripture may be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken.’ Also another Scripture says: ‘They will look on the one they pierced.'” John 19:31-37. HCSB.

Jesus’ Death Was Unique: Jesus’ death was unlike that of any other person’s. There were the attending supernatural events: the three hours of darkness, the earthquake, and the tearing of the temple curtain. Then there were Jesus’ amazing words from the cross. He forgave those who killed him, he completely pardoned a repentant thief, he showed compassion toward his mother, he proclaimed absolute faith in God, he declared the work of salvation to be completed, and he decided when to die and give his spirit to God. Incredibly, even on the cross, he was in complete control of his life.

Moreover, Old Testament prophecies in Isaiah 53 and in Psalm 22, which were given 700 and 1,000 years before their fulfillment, foretold his death on the cross and his resurrection (See the list of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus’ death and resurrection in the article, “Why Christians Believe the Bible” on this web site). And, Jesus himself told his disciples repeatedly that he would die in this manner and be raised from the dead.

On the cross Jesus carried the weight of the sins of all mankind even though he lived a sinless life and was innocent of any wrongdoing. And his intense suffering was not only physical, emotional, and social; it was also spiritual when he was separated from his Father. No one else has ever suffered like he did. In these ways, the death of Jesus Christ is set apart from the deaths of all other people in the world.

Joseph of Arimathea: On Friday evening, before sundown, “a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph” (Matthew 27:57), “a good and righteous man” (Luke 23:50), “a prominent member of the Sanhedrin” (Matthew 15:43) “who had not agreed with their plan and action” (Luke 23:51), and “a disciple of Jesus – but secretly because of his fear of the Jews – asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body.” John 19:38. All references, HCSB.

Jesus’ Death Confirmed: “Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. When he found out from the centurion (that Jesus was dead), he granted the corpse to Joseph.” Mark 15:44-45. HSCB.

Nicodemus: “Nicodemus (who previously came to Him [Jesus] at night) also came…. Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices according to the burial custom of the Jews.” John 19:39-40. HSCB.

His Burial: “There was a garden in the place he was crucified. And in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. So…they placed Jesus there.” John 19:41-42. HSCB. It was Joseph’s “new tomb which he had cut out of the rock” for himself. Matthew 27:60. NIV. “He (Joseph) left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.” Matthew 27:60. HSCB.

The Women: “Now Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses” (Mark 15:47, HSCB) and “the women who had come with him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how his body was placed.” Luke 23:55-56. HSCB.

The Tomb Made Secure: “The next day (Saturday), …the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir we remember that while this deceiver was still alive, He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come, steal him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.'” Matthew 27:62-64. HSCB. “‘You have a guard of soldiers,’ Pilate told them. ‘Go and make it secure as you know how.’ Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.” Matthew 27:65-66. HSCB.

The Tomb Is Opened: Early Sunday morning, before anyone arrives at the tomb, a remarkable event takes place. “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.” Matthew 28:2-4. NIV.

Mary Magdalene Visits The Tomb First: “Early on the first day of the week while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple (John), the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him.'” John 20:1-2. NIV.

Peter and John Run To The Tomb: “At that, Peter and the other disciple (John) went out, heading for the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a separate place by itself.” John 20: 3-7. HCSB.

John Believes in Jesus’ Resurrection: “The other disciple (John)…then entered the tomb, saw, and believed.” John 20:8. HCSB. At this point in time, John was the only disciple who believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. “For they (the other disciples) did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead.” John 20:9. HCSB.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene: After seeing the empty tomb, Peter and John left. “But Mary (Magdalene) stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body had been lying. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘Because they’ve taken away my Lord,’ she told them, ‘and I don’t know where they put him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus. ‘Woman,’ Jesus said to her, ‘Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, ‘Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him and I will take Him away.'” John 20:16. HCSB.

Mary Believes in Jesus’ Resurrection: “‘Mary,’ Jesus said. She replied, ‘Rabboni!’ which means ‘Teacher.'” John 20:17 HCSB. Immediately, Mary recognized Jesus’ voice and realized that he had risen from the dead.

Jesus Sends Mary Back to His Disciples: Apparently, Mary held onto His feet, because Jesus said, “‘Don’t cling to me’…but go to my brothers…. Mary went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them what He had said to her.” John 20:17-18. HCSB.

The Women Visit The tomb: A little later, “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning [“just after sunrise” Mark 16:2. NIV.], the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.” Luke 24:1. NIV. As “they were on their way to the tomb, (they) asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?'” Mark 16:2. NIV. But, “they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” Luke 24:2a. NIV.

The Tomb Is Empty: Then “when they entered (the tomb), they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” Luke 24:3 NIV.

The Angels Appear: “While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them….” They said to the women, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how he told you…(that he) ‘must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered his words.” Luke 24:4-8. NIV.

The Angels’ Instructions: “Go quickly and tell his disciples [and Peter (Mark 16:7)]: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.’ There you will see him…. So the women hurried away from the tomb…and ran to tell his disciples.” Matthew 28:7,8 NIV.

The Women Believe in Jesus’ Resurrection: Jesus also appeared to the other women as they “hurried away from the tomb….” When they saw him they “clasped His feet and worshiped Him.”And, “Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.'” Matthew 28:8-10. NIV.

The Disciples Do Not Believe Their Report: “Returning from the tomb, they…(told) the apostles these things. But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.” Luke 24:9-11. HCSB.

The Guards’ Report: After the women left, “Some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, ‘You are to say “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And the story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” Matthew 28:11-15. NIV.

Jesus Appears to Two Travelers: Later in the day on Sunday, “two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked…, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

“He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast.One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

“‘What things?’ he asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morningbut didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” Luke 24:13-24. NIV.

Jesus Describes Himself in the Scriptures: “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27. NIV.

“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.

Jesus Opens Their Eyes and They Believe in His Resurrection: “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?'” Luke 24:28-32. NIV.

The Travelers Return to Jerusalem: “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” Luke 24:33-35. NIV.

Jesus Appears to Peter and He Believes in Jesus’ Resurrection: The above passage also tells us that sometime on Sunday Jesus appeared to Peter, and he then believed in Jesus’ resurrection.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples: On Sunday evening, “the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.’ John 20:19. HCSB. “But they were startled and terrified, and thought they were seeing a ghost. ‘Why are you troubled?’ he asked them. ‘And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ But while they still could not believe for joy, and they were amazed, He asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ So they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Luke 24:37-42. HSCB. So, the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” John 20:20. HSCB.

Thomas Was Absent: “But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called “Twin”) was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples kept telling him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them. ‘If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe!'” John 20:24-25. HSCB.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples and to Thomas: “A week later (on the following Sunday) his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'” John 20:26-29. NIV.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples a Third Time: “Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him…and jumped into the water.The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:1-14. NIV.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples on a Mountain in Galilee: Some time later, “The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted.” Then, Jesus gives his disciples the Great Commission: “Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All Authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, (even) to the end of the age.'” Matthew 28:16-20. HCSB.

Other Appearances of Jesus: The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus “appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep (died). Then he appeared to James (Jesus’ half brother)…and last of all he appeared to me (Paul) also” I Corinthians 15:6-8. NIV.

Jesus’ Final Appearance: Jesus begins by telling his disciples, “‘Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.'” Luke 24:44-47. NIV. This tells us that Jesus’ life, death and resurrection fulfill Old Testament prophecy.

After that Jesus says, “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised (the Holy Spirit)…stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:48-49. NIV.

Jesus’ Ascension:Then, he ascends to heaven, fortydays after his resurrection: “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” Luke 24:50-51. NIV. “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white (angels) stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'” Acts 1:10-11. NIV.

Luke’s Commentary About the Resurrection: “After his suffering, he (Jesus) showed himself to these men (the disciples) and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 NIV.

Summary: This first article recounts the Bible’s narrative of Jesus Christ’s life during the week leading up to and including his resurrection, and also recounts the 40 days during which he made appearances to his disciples. The second article in this series presents evidence for his resurrection, the same evidence that convinced his disciples the resurrection was true.

The Real Question: We began this series of four articles with the observation that since resurrections are not in our normal life experience, it may be difficult for us to believe that resurrections are even possible. Nevertheless, the real question is not how difficult it is to believe, but simply is it true that Jesus Christ rose from the dead?

The Last Week and Appearances: Next, we discussed the last week of Jesus Christ’s life leading up to his resurrection, as found in the New Testament Gospels and Acts. During this week a number of events transpired, culminating with his betrayal, brutal physical abuse, unjust judicial condemnation, death by crucifixion and bodily resurrection. This was followed by 40 days in which he made appearances to his apostles and disciples. This second article in the series provides evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Why Believe the Narrative?

How Can we Determine if This is True? This brings up a question. Is this a true story, and if it is, how are we to establish it’s veracity? To accomplish this we cannot use the classical scientific method because it requires repetition of the events under consideration, and historical events cannot be repeated. Instead, we have to analyze the historical evidence employing reasonable criteria which will help us determine the accuracy of the historical records.

The Criteria: These are criteria which historians use to determine if documents are historically accurate:¹

1. Are the historical documents written by eyewitnesses?
2. Are there a substantial number of eyewitnesses whose writings agree with each other?
3. Are the witnesses of varied background, personality, education and experience and yet agree?
4. Are the eyewitnesses thought to be truthful?
5. Are some of the details in the writings embarrassing to the authors? And did they leave them in because they were intent on reporting the events accurately and not screening them out to save face?
6. Are people who witnessed the same events still alive when the report comes out, so they can confirm, deny or correct the report?
7. Is there a relatively short time period between when the events occurred and when the documents were written?
8. Have the historical documents been protected over time and are essentially the same as when written, or have they been corrupted or changed?
9. Are historical details in the reports verified by archaeological finds and by other independent sources, in this case by secular writers, some of whom were enemies of Christianity?

The New Testament Satisfies All of These Criteria: The New Testament story of Jesus Christ’s life was written by a substantial number of witnesses of varied backgrounds and personalities whose writings agree with each other. These disciples cited historical facts verified by other sources, suffered and died for their faith, wrote embarrassing details about their lives, and wrote simply and directly as truth tellers. They wrote within a few years of the events they recorded while others who witnessed the same events were still alive. Document analysis shows that the New Testament documents have been preserved and are essentially the same as when first written. Moreover, archaeology and numerous secular sources confirm the basic story of Jesus Christ in the Gospels.

Additional Evidence: In an article on this web site, “Why Christians Believe the Bible,” we provide evidence that the Bible is not only historically accurate, but that it is also truly the Word of the Living God. Therefore we believe we are on safe ground when we say that the New Testament story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is absolutely true. While we believe such evidence supports this assertion, there is also more specific evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ which we will now discuss.

Specific Evidence For the Resurrection:

There are three primary bodies of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1. Jesus actually died on the cross.
2. The tomb in which he was buried was empty on resurrection day.
3. Jesus made numerous appearances to his disciples after he rose from the dead.

We will discuss each in the dedicated tabs below.

In “The Case for Christ,” by Lee Strobel, the author interviews a medical doctor, Alexander Metherell, MD, PhD, who provides a medical analysis of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The following descriptions reflect his insights and observations.

The Flogging: Jesus’ suffering began in the Garden of Gethsemane where he agonized in prayer until Judas arrived with the temple police who arrested him. He then endured three Jewish trials and three Roman trials before hostile accusers. The temple guards hit, slapped, and beat him; the Roman guards did worse: they flogged him with a whip made of leather strips imbedded with balls of lead and pieces of sharpened bone. The flogging resulted in severe deep bruising and tearing of the flesh of the shoulders, back, buttocks, and upper legs. Beatings of this kind were so severe the victims often died before they could be crucified.²

Such a beating causes extreme pain and “hypovolemic shock.” This condition is caused by “the loss of large amounts of blood.” As a result, “the heart races to try to pump blood that isn’t there, the blood pressure drops causing fainting or collapse, the kidneys stop (working), and the person becomes very thirsty as the body craves fluids to replace the lost blood volume.”³

When Jesus tried to carry his cross on the way to be crucified, he collapsed because he was showing signs of this condition. This also accounts for his words “I thirst” when on the cross. “Because of the terrible effects of this beating, there’s no question that Jesus was already in serious-to-critical (medical) condition even before” his crucifixion.⁴

The Crucifixion: Once at the site of the crucifixion, the Roman soldiers would have stretched out Jesus’ arms and nailed his wrists to the horizontal beam with large spikes. The spikes penetrated the median nerve in the wrists resulting in unbelievable pain. The horizontal beam was then lifted up and attached to the vertical beam and spikes were driven through his feet, crushing more nerves and causing more intense pain. Upon being hoisted up, the arms were forcefully stretched by his body weight, pulling his shoulders out of joint. Again more intense pain.⁵

Agony on the Cross: “Once a person is hanging in the vertical position,…crucifixion is essentially an agonizingly slow death by asphyxiation. The reason is that the stresses on the muscles and diaphragm put the chest into the inhaled position; basically, in order to exhale, the individual must push up on his feet so the tension on the muscles would be eased for a moment. In doing so, the nail would tear through the foot…. After managing to exhale, the person would then be able to relax down and take another breath in. Again he’d have to push himself up to exhale, scraping his bloodied back against the coarse wood of the cross. This would go on and on until complete exhaustion would take over.”⁶

How Did Jesus Die? At the same time Jesus is hanging on the cross, “the hypovolemic shock (from the flogging) would have caused a sustained rapid heart rate that would have contributed to heart failure, resulting in the collection of fluid in the membrane around the heart, called a pericardial effusion, as well as (the collection of fluid) around the lungs, which is called a pleural effusion.”⁷ This is important because when the Roman soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, blood and water came out. Thus, the Biblical description in the gospel of John (John 19:34) is consistent with what modern medicine would expect to have happened.

Dr. Metherell concluded by saying, “there was absolutely no doubt that Jesus was dead”⁸ before the Roman soldier pierced his side. The soldier’s spear merely revealed Jesus’ death, it did not cause his death. Truman Davis, M.D., another medical doctor, who did a medical analysis of the crucifixion states, “We, therefore, have rather conclusive post-mortem evidence that [Christ] died, not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure due to shock and constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium.”⁹ Thus we are given the first historical fact of evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ – he actually died on the cross.

Historical Fact #1 – Jesus Christ Actually Died on the Cross

Security Precautions

Jewish and Roman authorities conspired together to execute Jesus Christ and to make sure his body stayed in the grave. Josh McDowell lists a number of “Security Precautions” which were taken to achieve these objectives.¹⁰ They are as follows:

“Security Precaution #1 – The (Six) Trial(s).”¹¹

The Jewish authorities wanted Jesus to die. They viewed him as a threat to their authority and possibly to political stability in Israel. The high priest had decided before the trials to condemn Jesus to death and manipulated the parties involved to achieve that objective. In the Roman trials, Pilate found no fault in Jesus and wanted to release him, but he eventually gave in to the wishes of the Jewish leaders, sending Jesus to his death on the cross.

“Security Precaution #2 – Death by Crucifixion.”¹²

Crucifixion was a savage and cruel instrument of death. The Roman executioners were bound by military rules to deliver a dead body and they did this with predictable regularity. Absent Divine intervention, once Jesus was on the cross it was certain that he would die.

“Security Precaution #3 – Solid Rock Tomb.”¹³

The tomb in which Jesus was laid was carved into solid rock. There was only one doorway in or out. “A groove or trough (was) cut into the rock in front (of the tomb doorway)…to hold the stone which sealed (it).”¹⁴ Once the stone was in place in front of the doorway, there was no way to enter or exit the tomb.

“Security Precaution #4 – Jewish Burial.”¹⁵

The Jewish burial custom was to wrap the corpse in strips of linen about one foot wide, from the feet to the armpits, and then with the arms down, up to the neck. In between these layers was placed a fragrance (aloes) and a gummy substance (myrrh) which adhered to the layers of linen and to the body. Even if a person was somehow buried alive, it would be nearly impossible for them to escape from these wrappings on their own.

“Security Precaution #5 – A Very Large Stone.”¹⁶

Two engineering professors estimated the weight of the stone sealing the tomb of Jesus to have been between one and a half to two tons (3,000 to 4,000 pounds). As noted above, it sat in a grove cut into the rock just in front of the tomb. It was rolled down to the lowest part of the groove so it would remain in that position, sealing the entrance to the tomb.

“Security Precaution #6 – Roman Security.”¹⁷

The Jewish authorities wanted to be sure the body of Jesus would not be stolen by the disciples and then have them claim that he rose from the dead. Matthew describes this as follows, “The next day (the day after the crucifixion), …the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir we remember that while this deceiver was still alive, He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come, steal him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.'” Matthew 27:62-64. HSCB. “‘You have a guard of soldiers,’ Pilate told them. ‘Go and make it secure as you know how.’ Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.” Matthew 27:65-66. HSCB.

So Pilate granted their request, allowing them to post Roman soldiers at the entrance of the tomb. We believe they were Roman soldiers and not temple guards because of the phrasing of Pilate’s command, “Have a guard,” and because the soldiers later came to the Jewish leaders asking them to intercede for them with their superiors.

Josh McDowell points out that Roman soldiers were highly trained, well disciplined and very skilled in warfare. There were at least 16 soldiers guarding the tomb; they slept in shifts around the clock so that at least 4 of the guards were awake at all times. The penalty for sleeping while on duty was death, so they were very careful to stay alert and battle-ready when on their watch.¹⁸

“Security Precaution #7 – The Roman Seal.”¹⁹

An official Roman Seal was placed on the large stone so that if the stone were moved, the Seal would be broken and the authorities would know that someone had moved the stone. The Roman Seal served as “a public testimony that Jesus’ body was actually there.”²⁰ It also served as a warning to grave robbers who, if they broke the seal, would face a large fine or even death. Further, it prevented the soldiers from being bribed by the disciples to allow them to move the stone, remove the body and then move the stone back in place.

Review of Security Precautions: The Jewish and Roman authorities conspired together to kill Jesus and keep him buried. To accomplish this certain measures were taken: 6 trials designed to yield a death sentence, death by crucifixion, burial in a solid rock tomb, Jewish burial, use of a massive stone covering the entrance, Roman soldiers guarding the tomb, and placing a Roman Seal on the stone.

How Well Did These Security Precautions Work?

So, how effective were these security precautions? Let’s take a look and see what happened.

Event #1: The Trials Yielded a Sentence of Death by Crucifixion for Jesus.

Event #2: Jesus Actually Died on the Cross.

Event #3: The Tomb Was Empty!

On Sunday morning following the crucifixion, the body of Jesus was missing from the tomb. The empty tomb is referred to in all four Gospel narratives, as well as in the writings of Paul. We believe the empty tomb is a fact of history for a number of reasons as set forth below.

The Women and the Disciples Believed the Tomb Was Empty: The women who followed Jesus were not expecting the tomb to be empty and neither were the disciples. The women came to anoint the body of Jesus. Their concern was about who would roll away the entrance stone so they could get to the body of Jesus and anoint it. When they found the stone rolled away, they were surprised. When they entered the tomb there was no corpse there. After they returned to the disciples and told them what they found, Peter and John ran to the tomb and also found it empty.

The Roman Soldiers Believed the Tomb Was Empty: The Roman guards knew the body of Jesus was no longer in the tomb. They went to the Jewish authorities to tell them “everything that happened.” We are not told exactly what they said, but it is likely that they reported the earthquake and the visit of the angel who moved the stone away from the tomb, and it is possible they talked about the two angels in the tomb and even the appearances of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and to the other women.

The soldiers had to explain in plausible terms why they fell down on the job and allowed the stone to be moved and the tomb emptied of the body of Jesus. How were they to explain this? Telling the truth about the angel moving the stone was the best and only explanation that could have been used to convince the Jews they had been as responsible as possible in their duties given the circumstances.

Whatever they said convinced the Jews that the soldiers had not been negligent in their duties and that there was nothing they could have done to prevent what happened. In fact, the Jews did not blame the soldiers at all.

The Jewish Authorities Believed the Tomb Was Empty: After hearing the soldiers’ story, the Jews became convinced that the tomb was empty. They could have checked it themselves and maybe they did – we aren’t told. But, their intense concern at this point was to devise a fraudulent explanation about why it was empty, and not to question if it was empty. In so doing, they hoped to eliminate any explanation which would encourage people to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The soldiers intense concern was to avoid punishment for an apparent neglect of duty. So the Jews offered them a deal. They “gave the soldiers a large sum of money” to say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” Also the Jews offered to make amends with the Roman governor “and keep them out of trouble.” Matthews 28:12-15. NIV. The Jews told the soldiers what to say because they did not want them to tell the actual story which they had heard from them. They did not want a resurrection story told.

Historian Ron Sider: “If the Christians and their Jewish opponents both agreed that the tomb was empty, we have little choice but to accept the empty tomb as a historical fact.”²¹

No Ancient Historical Document Denys the Empty Tomb: Also it must be noted that there is no reference in any ancient historical document which says that anybody – whether Christian, Jew or Roman – saw the body of Jesus in the tomb.²² Further, there is no ancient document which says that anyone could produce the body of Jesus. When the apostles began preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ 49 days later in Jerusalem and the crowds responded by turning to faith in Christ, neither the Jews or the Romans could produce the body of Jesus. If they had, the Christian movement would have died. Instead, it thrived!

Event #4: The Position of the Grave Clothes.

On the Sunday morning after the crucifixion, the women discovered the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Peter and John also came and looked in the tomb. Peter “entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a separate place by itself.” John 20: 3-7. NCSB. “The other disciple (John)…then entered the tomb, saw, and believed.” John 20:8. HCSB

Convincing Evidence: So what did John see that caused him to believe? The body of Jesus had been wrapped in one foot wide linen bands with a gummy substance and spices in between layers from the feet to the neck and a turban had been wrapped on his head. What John saw was that the “cocoon” wrapped around Jesus body had collapsed as if the body which had been in it had just passed through it without disturbing it. The covering for the head was likewise in its place where the head had been, but because it had been wrapped in a turban style, it stood up a little, yet undisturbed. Beyond this, John had already seen that the tomb was empty, but it was the position of the grave clothes that convinced him that Jesus had risen from the dead.²³

The Fact and the Nature of the Resurrection: The position of the grave clothes tells us not only that Jesus rose from the dead, it also tells us something about the nature of the resurrection.²⁴ Later, when Jesus appeared to his disciples in his resurrection body he was able to pass through walls and appear and disappear at will. The position of the grave clothes tells us that Jesus in his resurrection body was capable of moving through physical objects. Later he demonstrated that he could touch people and be touched by them as well as eat food, that is, he could present his body as a solid object. These new and astounding capabilities of Jesus’ resurrection body were part of the miracle of his bodily resurrection.

Event #5: The Large Stone Was Moved Away.

Everyone Agrees: There is much agreement that the large stone was moved away from the entrance of the tomb. This event is found in all four Gospels. The women, the disciples, the Roman soldiers and the Jews all acknowledged this to be a fact.

It is impressive enough to know that the stone was moved; it is even more impressive to know the manner in which it was moved. A study of the Greek for the words “rolled away” in the Gospels tells us that not only was the large stone moved away from the entrance of the tomb, it was moved quite a distance from the tomb as if someone had picked it up and moved it up the hill entirely away from the sepulcher.²⁵ This is not what would have happened if men had moved it. They would have moved it enough to open the tomb and then would have stopped. The angel, on the other hand, with incredible strength, vigorously rolled it up the hill.

The purpose of moving the stone was not to let Jesus out of the tomb, because the disciples learned soon after this event that Jesus, in his resurrection body, could pass through solid objects as he did when he appeared to them in a locked room. The purpose of moving the stone was to allow the disciples to get into the tomb so they could see that he had risen from the dead. Also the Romans and the Jews could see that the body of Jesus was no longer there.

Event #6: The Roman Guard Failed to do Their Duty.

As we have mentioned, Roman soldiers were highly trained, well disciplined and very skilled in warfare. There were at least 16 soldiers guarding the tomb; they slept in shifts around the clock so that at least 4 of the guards were awake at all times. The penalty for sleeping while on duty was death, so they were very careful to stay alert and battle-ready when on their watch.²⁶

In view of this, it is incredible that the soldiers found themselves in the position of having not performed their duty to protect the tomb. But they were faced with a power greater than themselves, an angel who’s brilliant appearance and enormous strength terrified them into a state of “paralysis” and “coma.” They had neither the courage nor the strength to stand up to this powerful angel.

Event #7: The Roman Seal Was Broken.

As indicated earlier, the Roman Seal served as a warning to grave robbers who, if they broke the seal, would face a large fine or even death. Further, it prevented the soldiers from being bribed by the disciples to allow them to remove the body of Jesus. The seal “stood for the power and authority of the Roman Empire,” and inspired fear of the consequences for breaking it.²⁷

Yet in this instance, the Roman Seal was broken when the large stone was moved, and no one paid a penalty. Why? Because the Jewish authorities, realizing the unusual character of this situation, made sure they appeased the Roman authorities.

God’s Power Overcame the Obstacles: The Jewish and Roman authorities thought they had a foolproof plan for killing Jesus and keeping his body in the grave. But they could not imagine or prepare for the intervention of a powerful angel from heaven, an actual resurrection from the dead, and the power of God at work to overturn their schemes. Their security measures would have worked for any normal man, but they did not work for Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

They succeeded in giving Jesus the death penalty and in killing him on the cross. But this was because it was God’s plan for Jesus to die for the sins of the world. The other measures they took – the rock tomb, the Jewish burial, the large stone, the Roman seal, and the Roman guard – were all useless in preventing Jesus’ resurrection. They simply were no obstacle at all. Thus we are left with the second historical fact of evidence for Jesus Christ’s resurrection – the empty tomb!

Historical Fact #2 – The Tomb Was Empty!

Here are the Appearances of Jesus Christ after his resurrection as recorded in the Bible.

1. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene: “After seeing the empty tomb, Peter and John left. “But Mary (Magdalene) stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body had been lying. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘Because they’ve taken away my Lord,’ she told them, ‘and I don’t know where they put him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus. ‘Woman,’ Jesus said to her, ‘Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, ‘Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him and I will take Him away.’ ‘Mary,’ Jesus said. She replied, ‘Rabboni!’ which means ‘Teacher.'” John 20:11-16 HCSB. Immediately, Mary recognized Jesus’ voice and realized that he had risen from the dead

2. Jesus Appears to the Women: “Jesus also appeared to the other women as they “hurried away from the tomb….” When they saw him they “clasped His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.'” Matthew 28:8-10. NIV.

3. Jesus Appears to Two Travelers:“Later in the day on Sunday, “two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked…, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

“He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast.One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?'”

“‘What things?’ he asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morningbut didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” Luke 24:13-24. NIV.

Jesus Describes Himself in the Scriptures: “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27. NIV.

“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.”

Jesus Opens Their Eyes and They Recognize Him: “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?'” Luke 24:28-32. NIV.

4. Jesus Appears to Peter: “They (the travelers) got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” Luke 24:33-35. NIV. This passage tells us that sometime on Sunday Jesus appeared to Peter.

5. Jesus Appears to His Disciples: On Sunday evening, “the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.’ John 20:19. HCSB. “But they were startled and terrified, and thought they were seeing a ghost. ‘Why are you troubled?’ he asked them. ‘And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ …But while they still could not believe for joy, and they were amazed, He asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ So they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.” Luke 24:37-43. HSCB. “So, the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” John 20:20. HSCB.

Thomas Was Absent: “But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called “Twin”) was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples kept telling him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them. ‘If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe!'” John 20:24-25. HSCB.

6. Jesus Appears to His Disciples and to Thomas: “A week later (on the following Sunday) his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'” John 20:26-29. NIV.

7. Jesus Appears to His Disciples a Third Time: “Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him…and jumped into the water.The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:1-14. NIV.

8. Jesus Appears to His Disciples on a Mountain in Galilee: Some time later, “The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted.” Then, Jesus gives his disciples the Great Commission: “Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All Authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, (even) to the end of the age.'” Matthew 28:16-20. HCSB.

9. Jesus Appears to a Large Crowd: The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus “appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep (died).” I Corinthians 15:6. NIV

10. Jesus Appears to James: “Then he appeared to James (Jesus’ half brother).” I Corinthians 15:7. NIV. We are not told when Jesus appeared to James, but after he did, James believed in Jesus’ resurrection and subsequently became a leader in the church in Jerusalem.

11. Jesus’ Appearance at His Ascension: Jesus begins by telling his disciples, “‘Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.'” Luke 24:44-47. NIV. After that Jesus says, “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised (the Holy Spirit)…stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:48-49. NIV.

Jesus’ Ascension: Then, he ascends to heaven, forty days after his resurrection: “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” Luke 24:50-51. NIV. “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white (angels) stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'” Acts 1:10-11. NIV.

12. Jesus Appears to Paul: “…and last of all he appeared to me (Paul) also” I Corinthians 15:8. NIV. This appearance occurred when Paul was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians. Luke describes this event as follows: “Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.’ …Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could see nothing. …For three days he was blind.” Acts 9:3-6,8,9. NIV.

Paul Knew God Was Speaking to Him: “In rabbinic tradition such a voice from heaven would have been understood as the voice of God himself. The solemn repetition of Saul’s name and the bright light suggested to him that he was in the presence of Deity.” NIV Note, p 1660.

Other Appearances?: There may have been other appearances that we are not told about. The Bible doesn’t tell us about the details of the meetings with Peter and James, so it also may not tell us about other meetings Jesus had during the 40 days between his resurrection and ascension. Even so, we conclude that the appearances that are recorded give us all the information we need to know that Jesus rose from the dead.

Why do we believe these appearances occurred? In another article on this web site, “Why Christians Believe the Bible” we discuss the following:

1. New Testament documents have been preserved from antiquity so that the Bible we have now is essentially the same as when written.

2. New Testament documents are historically accurate.

3. The person and ministry of Jesus fulfills over 300 prophecies from the Old Testament, dating back 1,000 years or more, showing that the New Testament is of Divine origin, because who but God could know so far in advance what is going to happen and predict it with amazing accuracy.

4. The writers of the appearances and of the New Testament were credible. They wrote simply and factually reporting what they saw, heard, and experienced. They wrote embarrassing details about themselves, indicating their desire was to be truthful. They held themselves to the highest moral standards, also indicating that they told the truth. They wrote within a few years of the events they recorded, suggesting accurate reporting. They died for their beliefs, showing they had become convinced by evidence that their beliefs were true.

5. New Testament documents come from several independent sources which all agree. There was Matthew who was a tax collector and who was well acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures. Mark was Peter’s disciple. “Luke was probably a Gentile, well educated in Greek culture, a physician…, (and) a companion of Paul.” NIV Note, p 1532. John was “the disciple whom Jesus loved” John 21:7 NIV. Paul was well educated in theology and law

Two of these, Matthew and John, wrote as eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry. Mark relied on Peter’s eyewitness testimony. We believe Luke engaged in extensive research, interviewing many eyewitnesses, before writing Luke. These writers wrote the life story of Jesus. Matthew wrote to the Jews; Mark to the Romans; Luke to the Greeks; and John to the world.

Paul wrote both to the Jews and the Gentiles in his letters to the churches. He gained the knowledge he taught from his education as a Old Testament scholar, from his legal education, from the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and from conversations with the apostles in Jerusalem.

Each of these writers approached essentially the same subject matter somewhat differently, yet all agreed on the truth of God in content and message. Such agreement supports the belief that each writer was reporting actual historical events, in a truthful manner, faithfully conveying the message Jesus taught.

6. Secular historians in the first century confirm the basic story of Jesus in the Gospels.

7. The Bible exhibits features that indicate Divine Authorship! The Preservation of the Bible over the centuries; the Unity of its message with about 40 authors, written over a period of 1,600 years; hundreds of fulfilled Prophecies; the highest standard of Morality in the world; and its documented Miracles all indicate that the Bible is God’s Word and God’s Truth for all ages.

All of the Above Applies to the Biblical Texts Describing the Appearances of Jesus. Therefore we see good reason to believe these reports. We contend that it is both reasonable and rational to believe Jesus actually came back from the dead and made these appearances to his disciples.

We will now take a look at the disciples who came to believe in the resurrection and why each became convinced that Jesus rose from the dead.

1. John Believes in Jesus’ Resurrection: When Peter and John ran to the tomb, John outran Peter and got to the tomb first. “Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a separate place by itself.” Then John “entered the tomb, saw, and believed.” John 20:5-8. HCSB. John was the first disciple who believed that Jesus had risen from the dead.

The Evidence: So what did John see that caused him to believe? The body of Jesus had been wrapped in one foot wide linen bands with a gummy substance and spices in between layers from the feet to the neck and a turban had been wrapped on his head. What John saw was that the “cocoon” wrapped around Jesus body had collapsed as if the body which had been in it had just passed through it without disturbing it. The covering for the head was likewise in its place where the head had been, but because it had been wrapped in a turban style, it stood up a little, yet undisturbed. Beyond this, John had already seen that the tomb was empty, but it was the position of the grave clothes that convinced him that Jesus had risen from the dead.

2. Mary Magdalene Believes in Jesus’ Resurrection: After Peter and John left, “Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting there…. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘Because they’ve taken away my Lord,’ she told them, ‘and I don’t know where they put him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus. ‘Woman,’ Jesus said to her, ‘Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, ‘Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him and I will take Him away.’ ‘Mary,’ Jesus said. She replied, ‘Rabboni!‘ which means ‘Teacher.'” Mary went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord!'” John 20:11-18. HCSB.

The Evidence: Mary recognized Jesus’ voice and realized that he had risen from the dead. She also touched him.

3. The Women Believe in Jesus’ Resurrection: As the other women “hurried away from the tomb…. Suddenly Jesus met them.” When they saw him they “clasped His feet and worshiped Him.” And, “Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.'” Matthew 28:8-10. NIV.

The Evidence: They heard his voice, they touched him, and he was familiar to them as the Jesus they knew.

4. The Two Travelers Believe in Jesus’ Resurrection: Later in the day on Sunday, Jesus appears to two travelers. “two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked…, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24:13-16. NIV.

    

   Then, Jesus teaches them how the Old Testament Scriptures reveal Him. “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27. NIV.

   “As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?'” Then the travelers “got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them…. Then the two told… how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” Luke 24:28-35. NIV.

The Evidence: Jesus’ focused interest in the sad recent events; his knowledge and teaching from the Scriptures concerning his crucifixion, resurrection, and glorification; his breaking the bread as he did at the last supper; and a Divine work which opened the eyes of their understanding all combined to convince them that Jesus had risen from the dead.

5. Peter Believes in Jesus’ Resurrection: Sometime on Sunday Jesus appeared to Peter and he believed. While we aren’t told what was said at this meeting, Jesus clearly convinced Peter that he was the same Jesus who he had been with for the past three years and who died on the cross a few days before.

The Evidence: We don’t know exactly what it was that convinced Peter. Of course, Jesus was present with Peter in bodily form with the scars of crucifixion; he may have talked about events in His ministry that only he and Peter would know; he may have recounted his transfiguration and the voice from heaven affirming him as the Son of God; he probably spoke words that were familiar to Peter; and he may have invited Peter to touch him to see that he is materially real. But this is clear, Jesus revealed himself to Peter in ways that convinced him of His resurrection.

6. The Ten Disciples Believe in Jesus’ Resurrection: On Sunday evening, “the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.'” John 20:19. HCSB. “But they were startled and terrified, and thought they were seeing a ghost. ‘Why are you troubled?’ he asked them. ‘And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. But while they still could not believe for joy, and they were amazed, He asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ So they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.” Luke 24:37-43. HSCB. “So, the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” John 20:20. HSCB.

The Evidence: Earlier in the day, John and then Peter had come to believe in the resurrection, but John and the other eight had not yet seen Jesus. What convinced the remaining eight? First, Jesus appeared out of nowhere as a material being in a locked room. There was the unmistakable presence of his body with its crucifixion scars; they were able to touch him; they saw him eat; they observed his penetrating knowledge of their inner thoughts and emotions in real time; they felt his genuine concern for them; and they noted that his manner of being with them was familiar to them. They may have begun with doubts when Jesus first appeared, but in the end they rejoiced, realizing they were seeing the resurrected Lord.

7. Thomas Believes in the Resurrection: “But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called “Twin”) was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples kept telling him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them. ‘If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe!'” John 20:24-25. HSCB.

    

   “A week later (on the following Sunday) his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'” John 20:26-29. NIV.

The Evidence: What convinced Thomas? As he did before, Jesus appeared out of nowhere in a locked room. Also, Jesus knew what Thomas thought and said sometime during the week before; and who but God can read a man’s mind? Then Jesus invited him to believe by giving him the exact proof for which Thomas had asked. We don’t know if Thomas actually touched him or not, but clearly he saw Jesus’ crucifixion scars. Then there were the words of Jesus which challenged him to leave (unwarranted) doubt behind, “Stop doubting and believe.” At this point, Thomas knew it was the resurrected Jesus, and exclaimed “My Lord and my God!”

8. James Believes in the Resurrection: “Then he appeared to James (Jesus’ half brother).” I Corinthians 15:7. NIV. We are not told when Jesus appeared to James, but after he did, James believed in Jesus’ resurrection and subsequently became a leader in the church in Jerusalem.

The Evidence: We are not told what happened at this meeting. I think that Jesus had no trouble convincing his own half-brother that he was resurrected. Jesus could have talked about any number of things concerning their family members, events when growing up, work they did as carpenters or other matters familiar to James so that he would quickly realize that this was his brother who had been crucified and was now alive.

Summary of Evidence: Before discussing the evidence that convinced the apostle Paul of Jesus’ resurrection, let’s summarize the evidence that convinced the disciples.

1. The grave cloths in the tomb.
2. The voice of Jesus, which they recognized.
3. Jesus’ physical presence.
4. The scars of crucifixion.
5. He actually ate food.
6. Jesus’ familiar manner and speech.
7. His knowledge of Old Testament Scriptures concerning himself.
8. Jesus’ manner of giving thanks and breaking bread before a meal.
9. His knowledge of personal information and shared history with the disciples and James.
10. Jesus’ penetrating insight into the disciples thoughts and emotions in real time.
11. His familiar concern and love for them when with them.
12. Jesus’ ability to appear and disappear in a locked room and yet show himself to be a solid, material, physical person.
13. A Divine touch when “He opened their eyes.”

The disciples saw him, heard his voice, touched him, talked with him extensively, saw him eat, and saw him appear and disappear. These disciples were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ!

9. Paul Believes in the Resurrection: “…and last of all he appeared to me (Paul) also” I Corinthians 15:8. NIV. When Paul was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians, “Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.’ …Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could see nothing. …For three days he was blind.” Acts 9:3-6,8,9. NIV.

    

   The men with Paul led him to Damascus. There, Paul prayed and was given a vision of “a man named Ananias” who was to “come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” Acts 9:12. NIV. The Lord also spoke to Ananias, telling him to go to Paul, but Ananias objected because Paul had a reputation for persecuting Christians. The Lord assured Ananias to go by saying, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel….” Acts 9:15. NIV. Then Ananias went to Paul and told him, “Jesus, who appeared to you on the road…has sent me so that you may see again….” Acts 9:17. NIV. Within days, Paul “began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.” Acts 9:20. NIV. And Paul “baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 9:22. NIV.

The Evidence: This note is key in understanding the evidence that convinced Paul of Jesus’ resurrection: “In rabbinic tradition such a voice from heaven would have been understood as the voice of God himself. The solemn repetition of Saul’s name and the bright light suggested to him that he was in the presence of Deity.” NIV Note, p 1660.

So what are the elements of evidence that convinced Paul?

1. The light and voice from heaven.
2. The manner of address: “Saul, Saul.” At this point, Paul believed it was the voice of God speaking because he responded by called him “Lord” (God).
3. The identification of the voice: “I am Jesus.”
4. The penetrating accusation of guilt: “Why do you persecute me?” It is God who knows which of our behaviors are sins and has the right to confront us about them.
5. Paul’s rabbinic understanding of how God revealed himself in the Old Testament, and how this experience was in keeping with those revelations.
6. The two miraculous visions: Paul’s of Ananias, and Ananias’ of Paul which perfectly agreed with each other.
7. Paul’s loss of sight which was a real change in his physical condition, further indicating that this was not an imagined event.
8. Ananias miraculously knew where to find Paul and miraculously knew what had happened to Paul on the road to Damascus, because God had revealed these things to him.
9. The restoration of Paul’s sight, as Jesus had promised him.
10. The filling of the Holy Spirit confirmed and bolstered the truth of it all.
11. That Paul, with his immense intellect and from his deepest feelings, genuinely changed his thoughts, emotions, attitude, purpose and behavior – all within a few days, because God had met with him and changed him radically!

Paul’s Radical Change: Paul was zealous to follow and obey God. When he viewed Christians as the enemy of God and Judaism, he thought he was doing the right thing by persecuting them. However, when Jesus appeared to him, he came to understand that Jesus is the Son of God and he immediately repented. Then his intense desire to please God became re-directed toward preaching Christ and defending the Christian message. Jesus made Paul physically blind to get his attention and to prepare him for change; then through a Divine encounter, Jesus cured both his physical and spiritual blindness.

Today, we are 2,000 years removed from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We cannot do a firsthand examination of the ancient evidence for this miracle. We are not eyewitnesses to Jesus’ appearances. However, we can examine the evidence through the eyes of those who were there, who have given testimony to what they saw and experienced and why they believed.

Listen as the apostle John describes this process: “[We are writing] about the Word of Life…Him who existed from the beginning (has always existed). Whom we heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon (looked at and examined carefully), and have touched with our [own] hands. …and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you…, the Eternal Life…Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible…to us [his followers]. What we have seen and [ourselves] heard we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. I John 1:1-3. Amplified Bible.

I believe God planned it this way so that future generations could also believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. God has provided the testimony of the Scriptures which he has protected over the centuries. In them, he has given us enough information to realize and believe in the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. We have a responsibility to examine the evidence given to us and to decide if it is true. No one else can do that for us. It takes effort and it requires a desire to find the truth. There is no other way.

Conclusion

Having examined the evidence for the resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ, we conclude that he did appear numerous times to his disciples in a resurrected body after having died on the cross. Thus we are given the third (set of) historical fact(s) of evidence for Jesus Christ’s resurrection – Jesus Christ appeared repeatedly to his disciples after he rose from the dead.

Historical Fact #3 – Jesus Appeared to His Disciples!

In addition to the direct evidence we have presented for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is also circumstantial evidence. First we need to understand that such evidence is demonstratively true. Second, by its nature such evidence requires an explanation for its existence. Third, the reason for its existence is best explained by a primary fact that is being established, in this case the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus circumstantial evidence provides indirect proof of an event. Even so, when there is a great deal of such evidence, it becomes very persuasive. So what is the circumstantial evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

The Changed Lives of the Disciples – From Cowardice to Boldness: After the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples’ lives were ruled by fear. They fled from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane; they hid behind locked doors; Peter denied Jesus three times to avoid detection. But after they saw Jesus in a resurrected body and after Pentecost (when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to anoint and embolden them), they were able to boldly proclaim the resurrection in Jerusalem where Jesus had been tried and executed. How is it that they were able to overcome their fears and confront the Jews with the message of resurrection? For me, it is not possible to believe they could or would have done this unless they had personally witnessed the resurrected Christ.

Moreover, as they continued their ministry, they faced threats, imprisonment, beatings, and death because they were preaching the resurrection. Why would they have done this unless they knew it to be true?

Unlikely Conversions of Skeptics and Adversaries: James, Jesus’ half brother, did not believe in him during Jesus’ lifetime. But he came to believe after Jesus met with him following the resurrection, and he went on to become a leader in the church in Jerusalem. In the end, he was stoned to death for his faith. Thomas would not believe when he heard reports of Jesus’ resurrection. He said he would have to touch the scars in his hands and side before he would believe. When Jesus appeared to him he immediately saw and came to faith. Paul, who considered Christians to be the enemy of God and of Judaism, actively sought to persecute, jail, and even kill Christians. After Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, he became a zealous apologist for and preacher of the resurrection. Each of these persons were highly skeptical of and even hostile to belief in the resurrection until they became convinced of it because of a personal encounter with Jesus.

Changes in Treasured Jewish Social Structures: “The things that made the Jews, Jews – their social structures – gave them their national identity (and) were unbelievably important to them” because “they believed these institutions were (given) to them by God.”²⁸ However, “thousands of Jerusalem Jews, including priests who were Pharisees”²⁹ changed or abandoned them. Here are some of these changes.

1. Animal sacrifice was abandoned by Christians because Jesus, as the Lamb of God, had been sacrificed for their sins on the cross.
2. Jews believed keeping the law of Moses was the way to achieve a righteous standing before God. Christians declared that the way to forgiveness of sins was by faith in Christ. (The moral law was still to be observed out of love and obedience to Christ, but not to achieve salvation.)
3. The Jews believed in strict monotheism. Christians remained monotheistic, but came to understand God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – three Persons in one perfect unity as God.
4. The Jews worshiped God on the Sabbath (Saturday) and had been doing so for 1,500 years.³⁰ Christians began to worship God on Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead.
5. The Jews expected the Messiah to be a conquering political leader who would deliver Israel from Roman rule. Christians proclaimed Jesus to be the servant Messiah who humbly gave his life as a sacrifice to provide salvation to all who believe, and as the conquering Messiah who will come again to rule the earth.
6. The Jews required circumcision as a sign of commitment and faith, Christians abandoned this practice and replaced it with the ritual of baptism.
7. Jewish dietary restrictions were removed after God spoke to Peter in Acts 10:9-16.
8. The social barriers between Jews and Gentiles were also eliminated in the same passage.

As we can see, Christians not only abandoned treasured social structures, they adopted new ones. These included the worship of Jesus Christ as God, belief in him for forgiveness of sins, worship on Sundays, belief in the Trinity, the adoption of the sacraments of baptism and communion, changes in dietary requirements, and the removal of social barriers with Gentiles.

These changes represented a seismic shift in religious orientation. Dr. J. P. Moreland explains: “Keep in mind that this is an entire community of people who are abandoning treasured beliefs that have been passed on for centuries and that they believed were from God himself. They were doing it even though they were jeopardizing their own well-being, and they also believed they were risking the damnation of their souls if they were wrong. What’s more, they were…doing this because…they had seen miracles that they could not explain (for example, the resurrected Christ) and that forced them to see the world another way.”³¹

The Establishment of the Church: The origin of the Christian church “can be traced back to the city of Jerusalem…(at) about A. D. 30. It thrived in the very city where Jesus was crucified and buried. Do you believe for a moment that the early church could have survived for a week in its hostile surroundings if Jesus Christ had not been raised from the dead? The resurrection of its founder was preached within a few minutes’ walk of Joseph’s tomb. As a result of the first sermon”³² by Peter, 3,000 believed and within a week or two around 10,000 believed. “Could” this have happened “if Jesus had not been raised from the dead?”³³ And within a few years, the Christian church spread throughout the Roman empire and later across the entire world.

The Facts are Clear: The circumstantial facts are clear: The disciples lives were changed; skeptics and enemies of the faith were converted; treasured social structures were abandoned; new beliefs and practices were adopted; and the church was established.

The Conclusion is Obvious: Lee Strobel observes, “circumstantial evidence doesn’t rely solely on the strength of one fact. Rather it’s the cumulative weight of several facts that together tip the scales toward a conclusion. And to (Dr. J. P.) Moreland, the conclusion is clear. He said, ‘If someone wants to consider the circumstantial evidence and reach the verdict that Jesus did not rise from the dead – fair enough. But they’ve got to offer an alternative explanation that is plausible for all five (in our case, eight) of these facts. Remember, there’s no doubt these facts are true; what’s in question is how to explain them. And I’ve never seen a better explanation than the resurrection.'”³⁴

Summary: In this article we have discussed the three primary bodies of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ: that he actually died on the cross, that his tomb was empty on Sunday morning following the crucifixion, and that he made numerous appearances to his disciples in a resurrected physical body over a period of 40 days following his resurrection. The next article, the third in the series, presents critics’ objections to the resurrection and why these objections are invalid.

1. Geisler, Norman L. and Turek, Frank. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2004, p 231, 318.
2. Strobel, Lee. The Case For Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016, p 211-212.
3. Ibid. p 212.
4. Ibid. p 212.
5. Ibid. p 213-214.
6. Ibid. p 215.
7. Ibid. p 215.
8. Ibid. p 216.
9. McDowell, Josh. A Ready Defense. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1993, p 224.
10. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. San Bernardino: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1981, p 37-61.
11. Ibid. p 38.
12. Ibid. p 41.
13. Ibid. p 50.
14. Ibid. p 50.
15. Ibid. p 50.
16. Ibid. p 53.
17. Ibid. p 54.
18. Ibid. p 54-58.
19. Ibid. p 59.
20. Ibid. p 59.
21. Ibid. p 66.
22. Ibid. p 66.
23. McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. San Bernardino: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1979, p 220-222.
24. Ibid. p 221.
25. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. p 66-68.
26. Ibid. p 54-58.
27. Ibid. p 64.
28. Strobel, Lee. The Case For Christ. p 271-272.
29. Geisler, Norman L. and Turek, Frank. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. p 291.
30. Strobel, Lee. The Case For Christ. p 272.
31. Ibid. p 273-274.
32. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. p 106-107.
33. Ibid. p 106-107.
34. Strobel, Lee. The Case For Christ. p 276.

This is the third in a series of four articles about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So far in this series we have presented the Biblical narrative as well as evidence for the resurrection. Here we discuss various critics’ objections to the resurrection and why these objections are invalid. The first objection we will discuss is the Swoon Theory.

The Swoon Theory

The Swoon Theory proposes that Jesus did not die on the cross; he merely swooned. Those who buried him thought he was dead when they put him in the tomb, but he had only fainted; once inside, the cool air and possibly the fragrances from the spices in which he was wrapped revived him. Then, he was able to escape the tomb and convince his disciples he rose from the dead. This theory was a “favorite explanation of eighteenth century Rationalism,”¹ and since 1899 has been held by a Muslim group.²

Rebuttals to the Swoon Theory

1. My first response to this theory is to ask: How could Jesus possibly have survived the vicious flogging and crucifixion experience that he endured? The evidence of blood and water coming out of his chest when pierced with a spear confirmed his death. Modern medical analysis supports the conclusion that he actually died on the cross.

2. We must understand that the Roman soldiers were executioners and they were very good at what they did. In fact, if someone they crucified survived, the soldiers themselves would be killed. So, they made sure the person crucified was dead before he was taken off the cross. The reason Jesus’ legs were not broken is because “the soldiers had already determined that he was dead and they just used the spear to confirm it.”³ And if Jesus had not been dead, that spear to his heart would have killed him. Further, Pilate required confirmation of Jesus’ death before releasing his body to Joseph of Arimathea. Only after Jesus’ death was certified by four soldiers (executioners) and the centurion, was the body of Jesus released.

3. Jesus’ enemies believed him to be dead. Clearly, the Romans believed this; also the Jewish authorities were certain of his death. The Jews were concerned only about the disciples stealing the body of Jesus and then saying he had risen from the dead. They never questioned that he died.

4. The friends and followers of Jesus believed he died. When Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus handled the body of Jesus, transported it from the cross to the tomb, wrapped it in yards of grave clothes, and laid it in the tomb, they were confident he was dead. The eleven disciples were heartbroken and dejected; they did not believe he was alive. The women, including Jesus’ mother, followed the procession to the tomb, watched where he was buried, and fully expected to find his dead body when they went back to the tomb on Sunday morning.

5. Ancient “non-Christian writers affirmed that Jesus had died by crucifixion. These include Josephus, Tacitus, Thallus, and the Jewish Talmud.”⁴ The notion that Jesus swooned was not even introduced until the year 1780 AD, nearly 1,800 years after the event. Paul Little remarks that “It is significant that not a suggestion of this kind had come down from antiquity…. All the earliest records are emphatic about Jesus’ death.”⁵

6. Despite evidence to the contrary, let’s say hypothetically that Jesus did survive the cross and became conscious after being placed in the tomb. He then would have had to overcome several insurmountable obstacles. According to the Jewish burial custom, his body was wrapped with one foot wide linen cloths from his neck down to his feet with aromatic spices layered between the bands. A separate cloth was wrapped around his head. So we must ask: If Jesus revived, how could he possibly get out of the tightly wrapped grave clothes? And if he accomplished that, how could he manage to move a two ton stone blocking the entrance to the tomb? And if he could move the stone – which would have made a lot of noise and alerted the Roman guards, how could he get by them without being captured or killed?

7. And what kind of medical condition would he be in after spending approximately 36 hours in a dark, cold tomb with no food or water and no medical attention for his wounds of back, hands, feet, shoulder joints, side, and punctured heart? Obviously he would have appeared weak and frail and would not have been able to present himself to his disciples as the conqueror of death and have inspired them to risk their lives preaching that he had risen from the dead.

Also, how could he have walked seven miles to Emmaus on injured feet just a few hours later,? And how could he have used his arms with his shoulders out of joint? We have to remember that each time Jesus appeared to his disciples, there were no signs of weakness or illness. He was whole, strong, healed, and transformed.

Conclusion: The Swoon Theory was an attempt by 17th and 18th century Rationalists to explain away the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ. The evidence from modern medical analysis, the history of the crucifixion as a savage and effective means of execution, the rules under which Roman soldiers operated, the late dating of the theory, and a review of the logical impossibilities of this theory show it to be completely false.

The Substitution Theory

The Substitution Theory suggests that someone other than Jesus was placed on the cross in his stead and the people watching thought it was Jesus. This view is believed by some Muslims because the Qur’an says that Jesus was not killed on the cross, but it appeared that he was, and that rather than allow him to die on the cross, God took him to heaven. (Sura 4:157-158).⁶ Of course, if this were true, it would cancel out any need for Jesus’ resurrection, so this is an anti-resurrection theory.

Rebuttals to the Substitution Theory

Geisler and Turek comment: “There are a number of problems with this theory, not the least being that there’s absolutely no evidence to back it up.”⁷

1. From the time he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane until he was crucified, Jesus was in the custody of the Jewish authorities or the Romans. There was no opportunity for a substitution

2. “This theory contradicts all the eyewitness testimony.”⁸ There were a number of people who observed Jesus on the cross. Jesus’ mother, Mary Magdalene, and other women were there along with the apostle John who was one of Jesus’ closest friends. This group, and especially Jesus’ mother, would have been able to recognize Jesus and determine if it was he or if it was an imposter on the cross.

3. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took the body down from the cross, carried it to the burial site, and laid it in the tomb. They wrapped the body in grave clothes. The women followed and observed everything. These people knew Jesus personally and had known him for years, and they believed and testified that the body was that of Jesus.

4. Geisler and Turek ask: “Are we to believe that the scores of people who witnessed some aspect of Jesus’ death – the disciples, the Roman Guards, Pilate, the Jews, Jesus’ (mother and) family and friends – were all mistaken about who was killed? How could so many people be wrong about a simple identification?”⁹

5. “This theory contradicts…the testimony of (all) the non-Christian sources.”¹⁰ Secular historians and Jewish writers all agree: It was Jesus who was crucified. There is no ancient evidence to the contrary.

6. This theory was first advanced “600 years after the lifetime of Jesus. How can this (theory) be considered a more authoritative source for the life of Jesus than the (contemporary) accounts of the eyewitnesses?”¹¹

7. This theory is contrary to Old Testament prophecies, contrary to Jesus’ own prophecies and contrary to the entire teaching of the Bible. Old Testament prophecies about Jesus on the cross are found in Psalm 22 and in Isaiah 53. These clearly indicate that the Messiah is to suffer and die, be a sacrifice for sin and rise from the dead. In the New Testament, Jesus himself repeatedly told his disciples that he would suffer, be killed and be raised to life. Matthew 16:21; Mark 9:31; Matthew 20:17-19. Throughout the New Testament, the message is that Jesus himself died for our sins and rose from the dead. This is a core belief of Christianity from its inception.

Some have tried to argue that God made it look like the person on the cross was Jesus, but it really wasn’t him. Those who make this argument claim to believe the Bible is the Word of God. But if you grant that the Bible is the Word of God, this theory cannot be true, because it contradicts everything in the Bible that God said through his prophets, his apostles, and even contradicts the words of Jesus himself.

Conclusion: The Substitution Theory, devised 600 years after the fact, contradicts all first century eyewitness testimony, all first century secular sources, the testimony of Jesus’ enemies – the Jews and the Romans, and the Old and New Testament Scriptures. This theory is clearly false.

Unknown Tomb Theory

This theory claims that no one knows where the body of Jesus was placed after the crucifixion, and that it may have been discarded by the Roman soldiers in a “pit for the executed.”¹²

Rebuttal to the Unknown Tomb Theory

This notion is completely unfounded and unsupported by the historical record. The records we have show Jesus was laid in the personal tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. The burial in the tomb was witnessed by Joseph, Nicodemus, the women, (and perhaps others), and was confirmed by the Roman soldiers who sealed the grave. Everyone – the Christians, Jews and Romans all knew the location of the tomb of Jesus. We have an archeological record which shows that a man who was crucified was buried in a private tomb.¹³ This contradicts the theory’s assumption that all people who were crucified were discarded in a pit by the soldiers.

Wrong Tomb Theory

This theory claims that the women went to the wrong tomb on Sunday morning and found it open. Instead of an angel, they saw a young man who told them Jesus was not buried there, but in a nearby tomb.¹⁴

Rebuttal to the Wrong Tomb Theory

This fiction also ignores the testimony of the historical record. The women knew the location of the tomb. They followed the burial procession and carefully watched as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus prepared the body and laid it in the tomb. They watched as Joseph rolled the stone in front of the entrance. The disciples knew its location. Peter and John knew right where to go when they ran to inspect it on Sunday morning. Joseph of Arimathea certainly knew the tomb’s location. He had it carved out of solid rock for himself and it was his property. The Romans and the Jews also knew the location of the tomb.¹⁵

The Theft Theory

This theory claims that either the disciples, the Jews, the Romans, or Joseph of Arimathea stole or removed the body of Jesus from the tomb and that is how the tomb came to be empty.

Rebuttals to The Theft Theory

1. The story that the disciples stole the body of Jesus originated with the Jewish authorities. They paid the roman guards a great deal of money to say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” Matthew 28:13. KJV. Of course, the Roman guards “knew that they had not fallen asleep…and that no theft had taken place.”¹⁶ And we can be sure the Jews didn’t believe this either, because they were willing to pay money to get the soldiers to say they did. But the Jews believed it necessary to tell this lie to keep the people from believing in the resurrection.

2. This story is suspect on the face of it. How could the guards know who took the body if they were asleep?¹⁷ And why would Roman guards go to sleep while on duty upon threat of death from their superiors? This theory remained popular among the Jews for centuries and is still cited by some today to discredit the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3. The Roman guards were an elite fighting force. They were highly disciplined and alert to do their duty. It is inconceivable that they were all asleep at any time or failed to protect the tomb from the disciples. They were on watch 24 hours a day and would have easily repelled any attempt on the part of the disciples to enter the tomb and remove the body.¹⁸

4. If the disciples had moved the stone from the tomb’s entrance while the guards were sleeping this would have made a lot of noise, the guards would have heard it, awakened and prevented the theft.¹⁹

5. After the crucifixion, the disciples were disheartened and discouraged. They didn’t expect a resurrection; they thought it was over. They acted as cowards. We see them fleeing when Jesus was arrested on the Mt. of Olives, we see Peter denying Jesus three times, and we see them now hiding behind closed doors. They didn’t have the heart or the means to confront the soldiers.²⁰

6. “The theft of the body by (the) disciples…would be contrary to everything written about them in history. They were men of high moral standing and honor.”²¹ As such, their consciences would never have allowed them to fabricate a resurrection story and spend the rest of their lives trying to get other people to believe it. Jesus taught them truth and honesty and condemned falsehood and exalted truth. It is inconceivable that all eleven disciples would agree to enter into such a deceitful conspiracy as this.²²

7. John 20:9 (KJV) says, “For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.” Incredibly, after spending three years with Jesus, the disciples still “did not realize the truth of the resurrection…, and so would not have been seeking to make it come true.” So we ask, why would the disciples propagate a belief which at that time they did not hold themselves?²³

8. The disciples later demonstrated that they believed an actual physical resurrection had taken place, not a staged, fraudulent, fictional one. In his first sermon after Jesus ascended to heaven, Peter said, ” Jesus…, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs….you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death….” Acts 2:22-24. KJV. Had they stolen the body they would not have had this kind of motivation. Belief in the actual resurrection enabled them to face arrest, beatings, imprisonment and death for the rest of their lives.²⁴

9. The disciples were transformed from cowardice to confidence; from staying out of sight to public proclamation; and from disbelief to bold confidence! This transformation is a fact of history, acknowledged by ancient contemporary secular historians. How can this be explained except by an actual physical resurrection?

10. The position of the grave clothes show that theft of the body did not happen. As before mentioned, the wrappings around the body and the turban which had been on Jesus’ head were lying in position as if he had passed through them without disturbing them. Thieves would have taken the body fully wrapped, to save time. And if they were to unwrap the body, the wrappings would be lying in a heap, not re-wrapped in perfect position on the burial shelf.²⁵

11. There is no way to explain the post-resurrection appearances if the body of Jesus was stolen or moved from the tomb.²⁶

12. Joseph of Arimathea would not have removed the body. He sacrificially gave up his own tomb out of love and devotion to Jesus Christ. To do so would have dishonored the body of Jesus. He would have wanted Jesus to remain in the tomb as a matter of respect. Joseph himself was a disciple. Had he moved the body, he would have spoken with the disciples about it beforehand; and certainly he would have told them that he moved it when they started preaching the resurrection.²⁷ There is no indication in the historical record that Joseph moved the body.

13. The Jewish authorities certainly did not remove the body from the tomb. This would have worked against their purpose, which was to prevent people from believing in a resurrected Christ. If they had done so, they would have revealed this when the disciples began preaching the resurrection in Jerusalem. And, they would have also been able to produce the body to stop the Christian movement.²⁸

14. The Roman authorities did not move the body from the tomb either. Pilate wanted to keep the peace with the Jewish population.²⁹ He had already agreed that it was a good thing to place a guard at the tomb to prevent a theft of the body by the Christians. So why would he want to do things differently? If he had, he would have run the risk of breaking a trust with the Jewish authorities and he needed to get along with these clever and difficult men as best he could. Also, there is no historical record which says that the Romans moved the body of Jesus from the tomb.

Fabrication Theory

This theory suggests that the apostles made up the story of Jesus’ resurrection while knowing it not to be true. This notion may take the form of discrediting the resurrection story by implication. For example, people who find it too difficult to believe, by implication impugn the veracity of the apostles’ writings.

Rebuttal to the Fabrication Theory

There are so many reasons why this theory is false. As we have discussed, New Testament historical records are well preserved and their authenticity is supported by archeological finds and ancient secular historians. The manuscripts indicate that New Testament authors wrote within a few years of the events they recorded as eyewitnesses about what they saw, heard, touched and experienced. These writers were of varied backgrounds, personalities, levels of education, and experiences, and yet they agreed. Their writings revealed many embarrassing details about their lives; they cited many verifiable historical details; they wrote in a straight-forward manner – that is, they wrote as tellers of truth, not as tellers of fiction.

In addition, the disciples did not believe in the resurrection at first. They had to be convinced. If they didn’t believe, why would they write that the resurrection happened? They went into hiding out of fear, and fearful people do not want to call attention to themselves. Also, why would they make up a story that would result in persecution, deprivation, imprisonment and death? Not one of them changed their story in the face of such intense opposition. It is much more plausible to believe that the New Testament writers wrote the truth as they experienced it, than to believe that they made up a story.

Legends Theory

The Legends Theory supposes that the stories of Jesus’ resurrection appearances are legends which developed over time and are not historically accurate.

Rebuttal to the Legends Theory

We are told that legends require 200 to 300 years to develop from the time of the original events or personages. Over this period the original ideas are changed, added to, subtracted from, altered, adapted, and romanticized to support a particular world view or set of beliefs.³⁰

In the case of the New Testament story of the resurrection, there was not enough time between the events, the eyewitness reports and the writing of the manuscripts for such changes to occur.

One of the earliest creeds of the church is found in I Corinthians 15:3-8. It reads “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also…”

This creed was repeated by believers as a statement of faith and it was based on the eyewitness reports of the apostles. It was reported by Paul just some 22 years after the resurrection, but it was being used long before that, probably 1 to 3 years after Jesus’ resurrection. There was simply not enough time for fictitious versions of these events to emerge as legends or fables.”

Dr. J. N. D. Anderson concludes that it is ‘almost meaningless to talk about legends when you’re dealing with the eyewitnesses themselves.'”³¹ The original belief was that Jesus rose from the dead, and this is the same story that has come down through history to us today. There was simply no change or alteration in the story.

Pagan Myths Theory

“This theory asserts that the New Testament is not historical because New Testament writers merely copied pagan resurrection myths.”³² If that were so, then the New Testament would be merely another myth, not a historical record, not true and not inspired by God.

Rebuttal to the Pagan Myths Theory

Geisler and Turek give five reasons why the New Testament story of the resurrection is not a myth.³³

1. The character of the New Testament writings is that of eyewitness testimony and of historical events and figures. And the story is supported by archeological finds and ancient secular historians. The story is presented as actual history, not as a myth.

2. Such a theory cannot explain the empty tomb, the eyewitness accounts, or the martyrdom of the apostles.

3. “Ancient non-Christian sources knew that the New Testament writers were not offering mythical accounts.” “The earliest Jewish and pagan critics of the resurrection understood the Gospel writers to be making historical claims, not writing myth or legend.”³⁴

4. “No Greek or Roman myth spoke of the literal incarnation of a monotheistic God into human form by way of a literal virgin birth, followed by his death and physical resurrection.” Further, “the Greeks were polytheists, not monotheists as New Testament Christians were. Moreover, the Greeks believed in reincarnation into a different mortal body; New Testament Christians believed in resurrection into the same physical body made immortal.”³⁵

5. “The first real parallel of a dying and rising god does not appear (in history) until A.D. 150, more than 100 years after the origin of Christianity.”³⁶ If any influence occurred, it was of Christianity on the pagan writers, not the other way around.

Spiritual Resurrection Theory

This theory claims that Jesus’ body did not rise from the dead, that only his spirit revived after his physical death.

Rebuttal to the Spiritual Resurrection Theory

In the Judaism of Jesus’ day, “a spiritual resurrection without the physical body would not be a resurrection at all.”³⁷ The Pharisees viewed the idea of resurrection to mean “the restoration of a body essentially identical with that which had been placed in the grave.”³⁸ Thus when the resurrection of the Messiah was prophesied in the Old testament (Psalm 16:8-11; Psalm 22:22-31; Isaiah 53:10b-12) and spoken of by Jesus in the New testament (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 20:19b; Mark 9:31), the understanding was that a dead body would come alive again.

Jesus himself countered this view when he met with the 10 disciples on the evening of his resurrection. He said, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost (spirit) does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” Luke 24:39. NIV. Also at that meeting he ate fish in their presence. The morning of the resurrection, when the women came to the tomb and Jesus appeared to them, they held him by his feet, showing that he had a physical body after coming back to life.

Further, this theory disregards the empty tomb, the position of the grave clothes, the testimony of eyewitnesses, the report of the Roman guard who had to explain the absence of Jesus’ body and the conclusion of the Jewish authorities who believed the body was missing. If Jesus had risen only spiritually, his body would have been available for anyone to see. In other words, this theory ignores the historical facts about the resurrection of Jesus and therefore is false.

Hallucination Theory

This theory would have us believe that the disciples did not actually see the resurrected Christ but had hallucinations which caused them to believe they had seen and met with him.

Rebuttal of the Hallucination Theory

A hallucination can be defined as an imagined visual experience in the absence of any external reality. Hallucinations can be the result of chemical effects such as LSD or can be the result of paranoid schizophrenia when such a person loses touch with reality and imagines things that are not really there. It is also possible for a neurotic individual who has deep longings to see a lost loved one to imagine them to be present for a brief period of time. These events are rare and do not happen to very many people.

Josh McDowell discusses some of the characteristics of hallucinations and why they do not apply to Jesus’ resurrection appearances.³⁹

1. Hallucinations are experienced by only certain kinds of people. The individuals to whom Jesus appeared had different personality types, education levels, and life experiences. It is not credible to believe that all of them were subject to hallucinations.

2. They are very personal, private and subjective. “Hallucinations are not experienced by groups, only by individuals.” The same is true of dreams. The dream a person had last night is his alone. No one else had that dream. And just like dreams, one person’s hallucination cannot be transferred to another person.⁴⁰

3. Favorable circumstances are normally required. There were so many settings in which the appearances took place, which meant that the circumstances kept changing. “Jesus did not appear once to just one person – he appeared on a dozen separate occasions, in a variety of settings to different people over a 40 day period. He was seen by men and women. He was seen walking, talking, and eating. He was seen inside and outside. He was seen by many and by few. A total of more than 500 people saw this risen Jesus. And they were not seeing a hallucination or a ghost because on six of the twelve appearances Jesus was physically touched and/or ate food.”⁴¹

4. They require deep-felt expectations which give rise to imagined visual experiences. The disciples were not expecting to see Jesus alive. The women went to the tomb to anoint the dead body of Jesus; they were not looking for a resurrection. The disciples were astonished to see Jesus appear to them. Consider James, Jesus’ brother, and Thomas who resisted believing and Paul who was hostile to Jesus. They were not in a state on mind to imagine a reality in which they either did not believe or were hostile toward. They had to be convinced by tangible evidence before believing that Jesus had risen from the dead.

5. They usually occur over long periods of time with some regularity. But the appearances of Jesus stopped abruptly after 40 days for the original disciples. If their experiences were imaginary, they would have continued beyond 40 days.

Moreover, if the followers of Jesus only thought they saw him, his body would have been available, and the Jews could have paraded the dead body of Jesus around Jerusalem to quash this delusion. But they didn’t because the body was missing. We conclude this theory is false.

Hypnosis Theory

This theory posits that Jesus used hypnosis to cause his disciples to think they saw him alive after he died. I learned of this theory from a psychologist who used hypnotherapy to treat his patients when I was a psychology intern at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Rebuttal of the Hypnosis Theory

First of all, not everyone is susceptible to the influence of hypnosis. In a group of any size, some will be susceptible and other will not be. I learned this when I attended a seminar held by a national hypnosis association for M.D.s, Ph.D.s and dentists. In our group of perhaps 100 people, some came under the influence of hypnosis quickly, others were able to retain control of their own thoughts and of their responses to the hypnotic suggestions that were given.

I want to mention two disciples who I believe were not subject to the influence of hypnosis. Peter was headstrong, quick to speak and act, and did pretty much whatever he wanted to do. He would have resisted firmly to retain his personal control. Paul, a great intellect who trained in Theology and law and who had great insight into people, could not have been tricked into surrendering his will to another. But more importantly, Paul didn’t travel with Jesus for three years. There was no opportunity for Jesus to hypnotize him. These are just two examples. Over 500 people saw Jesus after his resurrection. We can be sure that many of them would not have been receptive to the influence of hypnosis. Had some disciples been under the influence of hypnosis and others not under its influence, there would have been disagreement about Jesus’ resurrection, but there was not. All the disciples believed in the resurrection.

In addition, with Jesus’ appearances, there were too many different circumstances, locations, and groupings for Jesus to have been able to predict these events ahead of time and make hypnotic suggestions that would have covered them all. To think this could be done strains credulity.

Further, this theory does not account for the physical evidence. When Jesus ate fish, there was food on the plate and then it was gone. When Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets on the right side of the boat the haul of fish was incredible. And when Jesus picked up the bread and broke it and gave it to his disciples, the bread was broken and distributed and eaten by the disciples. It also does not account for the empty tomb and the missing body of Jesus.

Moreover there is no evidence that Jesus used hypnosis at any time in his ministry. For all of these reasons, we reject this theory as false.

Critics’ Claim: Critics claim that certain details of the accounts of the women visiting the tomb conflict with each other, and therefore call into question the empty tomb story and Jesus’ appearances to the women. Below are some of the questions they raise.

1. How many women were there – one, two, three or more?
2. When did the women arrive – “at dawn”, “just after sunrise”, “very early,” or “while it was still dark?”
3. Was the stone in front of the tomb when they arrived or had it been rolled away?
4. Which angel spoke to the women, the one sitting on top of the stone or an angel in the tomb?
5. Were there one or two angels inside the tomb?
6. Were the angels sitting or standing?
7. Why does Mark say the women said nothing to anyone after leaving the tomb and Luke says that they told the disciples what they saw?
8. Why does Matthew say that the women met Jesus after leaving the tomb and Mark and Luke do not mention this?

We are confident that these and other apparent conflicts can be resolved with a careful examination of the four texts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The best harmonization of these accounts that we have found is shown in the book “The Resurrection Factor” by Josh Mc Dowell, pp.125-128.⁴² Using this as a guide, we can trace a sequence of events which makes use of all the texts and eliminates the supposed contradictions.

The Sequence of Events: The first thing that happened on that Sunday morning was the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then, “there was” the violent earthquake and the angel rolling back the tombstone and sitting on it. The words “there was” should be rendered “Now there had been.” (Matthew 28:2. NIV note, p 1487) This means these events happened before any of the women arrived. Next in sequence, Mary Magdalene came alone to the tomb “while it was still dark” John 20:1. NIV. She saw the stone had been removed and ran to tell Peter and John. They came to the tomb, went in, observed, and left. Mary lingered behind, saw two angels in the tomb, and Jesus appeared to her. Then she ran and told the disciples what had happened. A little later, “just after sunrise,” the other women came to the tomb and found the stone rolled away. They saw one of two angels sitting in the tomb; suddenly, two angels stood and spoke to them. As they hurried away from the tomb, Jesus met them. Then they went to the disciples and told them about their experience.

God Speaks Through Each Writer: We believe each Gospel writer was guided by God to present the information that was most important in the service of conveying the message he was intended to write. Sometimes the pieces of information were presented as “bullets” of truth about the resurrection appearances, but these were not always presented on a time line. However when we look at all of their accounts, we can get a good picture of what happened on the resurrection morning. Here we have four independent reports of Jesus’ resurrection appearances. They do not all describe these events in the same way and because they do not, they are more credible.⁴³ If they parroted each other, their reports would be suspect. Rather, we see that they write out of their own individual experience, memory, judgment and personal assessment of what they came to know about the resurrection.

The Basic Story: There is much agreement about the core story in the four accounts.⁴⁴ Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus and buried in his own tomb. Women visited the tomb on Sunday morning and found the gravestone rolled away and the tomb empty. The angels told them that Jesus had risen. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and to the other women. The women went to the disciples and reported to them what they had seen and heard. Thus, even if we couldn’t harmonize each incidental detail of the story (but I think we can), we could still be confident that there is a core resurrection story which is historical fact.

Questions Resolved: Here are resolutions for the apparent conflicts we have already listed.

1. How many women were there? Mary Magdalene visited the tomb first. A group of women, all of which were not named, came to the tomb later.
2. When did the women arrive? Mary Magdalene “while it was still dark” and the other women arrived “just after sunrise” or “early in the morning” or “at dawn” – all equivalent terms.
3. Was the stone in place or rolled away? It was rolled away before any of the women arrived.
4. Which angels spoke to the women? Two angels, seated in the tomb, spoke to Mary Magdalene. (John 20:12,13. NIV.) The group of women first saw one angel seated in the tomb. Then, suddenly two angels stood and spoke to them.
5. Were there one or two angels inside the tomb? When Mark said there was one angel (“young man”) in Mark 16:5 NIV, he did not say there were not two angels. He may have decided to describe only the one who spoke.
6. Were the angels sitting or standing. Both, at different times.
7. Why does Mark 16:8 say the women said nothing to anyone? Because they did not reveal these events to strangers while traveling back to tell the disciples what happened.
8. Why does Matthew say that the women met Jesus after leaving the tomb and Mark and Luke do not mention this? Because Mark and Luke were emphasizing different aspects of the story.

More Questions Resolved: Here are resolutions for some other apparent contradictions.

9. Matthew 28:1 NIV reads, “On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.” A few verses later, the group is referred to as “the women.” The problem here is that if Mary Magdalene had already been at the tomb, seen the stone rolled away and had met Jesus, surely she would have told the other women and they would have known about the resurrection before they reached the tomb. But they didn’t know about this.

The resolution is simple. Matthew 28:1 simply says that each of these women went to look at the tomb on Sunday morning. It doesn’t say they went together or at the same time. The wording allows for Mary Magdalene to have gone first and the other women to have gone later.

10. Mark 16:1 NIV reads, “Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.” Mark 16:2 NIV reads, “Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb?'”

The problem presented here is similar to the previous item. If Mary Magdalene had already seen the stone rolled away and had met Jesus, why were the women wondering about the stone? Resolving this apparent problem is also easy. Mark 16:1 merely describes the fact that Mary Magdalene and the other women had purchased spices so they could anoint the body of Jesus. It says no more. Verse two is saying something different. It tells about the other women going to the tomb. The word “they” in verse two does not include Mary Magdalene.

11. Luke 24:10 NIV reads, “It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.” Here, Mary Magdalene is grouped with the other women as among those who told the apostles the events that had occurred at the tomb. It does not say, however, that Mary Magdalene was at the tomb at the same time as the other women. It merely says that Mary Magdalene and the other women both gave reports to the apostles of their experiences.

12. After mentioning these reports, Luke 24:12 NIV says, “Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves….” We know from John 20:2 this happened after Peter received Mary Magdalene’s report and before he received the other women’s later report. The passage in Luke is saying that Peter went to the tomb in response to a report. It doesn’t specify which report or from whom it came. John 20:2 clarifies this for us.

The discussion above resolves all the apparent conflicts in these passages of which I am aware.

We have presented the following evidence to show the Bible is the Word of God: The Bible has been preserved as written; it is historically accurate; over 300 prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus Christ; multiple New Testament sources all agree with each other; secular historians confirm the basic story of Jesus Christ; archaeological findings support the New Testament accounts; and, the Bible exhibits features of Divine Authorship including its Unity, Accuracy, Preservation, Fulfilled Prophecies, Documented Miracles, and Superior Moral Standards.

Further we have provided more specific evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ including evidence for his actual death on the cross, for the empty tomb, and for his post-resurrection appearances. We have concluded that the historical evidence indicates that Jesus Christ did actually rise from the dead.

Skeptics have come up with many theories which try to discredit the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

However, as Geisler and Turek point out, just voicing a theory does not make it credible.⁴⁵ To have credibility a theory must be supported by evidence. So we must ask the critics, “Where is the evidence for your ideas?” And if your evidence is incomplete or inadequate, why should we believe what you say? Moreover, can you convincingly refute the evidence we have presented for the resurrection? Also do your theories account for all the historical data? Sometimes it appears that alternate theories are merely an excuse to deny the possibility of the miraculous or are designed to avoid the rightful claims of God on each of us for faith, reverence, loyalty, and obedience which, if the resurrection is true, would be on our lives. Geisler and Turek conclude that it is thus more reasonable to be skeptical about the critics’ objections than to doubt the actual resurrection of Jesus Christ.⁴⁶

We believe the actual resurrection of Jesus Christ is the best way to account for all the historical information found in the resurrection story. Thus we boldly proclaim,

Jesus Christ Rose From The Dead!

Summary: In this article we have discussed critic’s objections to the resurrection of Jesus Christ: objections to his actual death, objections to the empty tomb and objections to this appearances. We have found these objections to be false based on the historical data. In the next and final article in this series, we examine the meaning of the resurrection.

1. McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. San Bernardino: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1979, p 237

2. Ibid. p 232.

3. Strobel, Lee. The Case For Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016, p 217.

4. Geisler, Norman L. and Turek, Frank. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2004, p 300.

5. McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. p 237.

6. Geisler, Norman L. and Turek, Frank. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. p 309.

7. Ibid. p 309.

8. Ibid. p 309.

9. Ibid. p 309.

10. Ibid. p 309.

11. Ibid. p 309.

12. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. San Bernardino: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1981, p 77.

13. Ibid. p 77-78.

14. Ibid. p 78.

15. Ibid. p 79-80.

16. McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. p 241.

17. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. p 93.

18. Ibid. p 93.

19. Ibid. p 94.

20. McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. p 240.

21. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. p 94-95.

22. McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. p 244.

23. Ibid. p 244-245.

24. Ibid. p 245.

25. Ibid. p 243.

26. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. p 95.

27. McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. p 247.

28. Ibid. p 246-247.

29. Ibid. p 247.

30. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. p 80.

31. Ibid. p 81.

32. Geisler, Norman L. and Turek, Frank. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. p 311.

33. Ibid. p 311-312.

34. Ibid. p 312.

35. Ibid. p 312.

36. Ibid. p 312.

37. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. p 81.

38. Ibid. p 82.

39. Ibid. p 84-86.

40. Geisler, Norman L. and Turek, Frank. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. p 302.

41. Ibid. p 302.

42. McDowell, Josh. The Resurrection Factor. p 125-128.

43. Strobel, Lee. The Case For Christ. p 234-235.

44. Ibid. p 234.

45. Geisler, Norman L. and Turek, Frank. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. p 320.

46. Ibid. p 319.

This is the last in a series of four articles about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Previously we provided the narrative of the resurrection, evidence for the resurrection, and answers to critics’ objections. Here we discuss the profound meaning of the resurrection. First, we show that the resurrection validates the claims of Jesus Christ.

What it Tells Us About Jesus Christ: His resurrection indicates that, as he said, he actually came from God the Father, lived a sinless life, did miracles, authoritatively taught God’s truth, lived in obedience to his Father in heaven and fulfilled the purpose for which he was sent by dying for the sins of the world and rising from the dead – so he could offer forgiveness and transformation to all who repent of their sins and believe in him.

Jesus Christ’s Claims About Himself Are True: Jesus’ miraculous resurrection demonstrates that his claims about himself are true. Jesus claimed to be the Jewish Messiah of the Old Testament. His resurrection and the fact that hundreds of Messianic Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled by his life confirm this claim to be true. Moreover, Jesus claimed to be God incarnate, the Jehovah of the Old Testament Scriptures. His miraculous resurrection along with his amazing birth, character, teachings and miracles all affirm that he was speaking the truth when he claimed to be God. We believe that only God Himself could predict that he would die and on the third day rise from the dead, and then actually perform that promise. Also, only God could do the miracles Jesus did, when he exercised authority over natural law, healed illnesses and birth defects, and raised the dead. Further, he is the only person in history who meets all the criteria of the Old Testament for the virgin born “Mighty God” who was to come. (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus Christ’s Teachings Are True: Also the resurrection means that what Jesus Christ taught is true. He taught that the Old Testament Scriptures were the Word of God and that the New Testament Scriptures which would be written by the apostles would also be the Word of God. He told us there is life after death and that we will be resurrected in the last day. He indicated that there is a heaven and a hell and that how we respond to him determines where we go at death. No other religious leader ever made such claims or validated them by rising from the dead.

The Trinity: Jesus taught us that God is a Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit – three Persons in One perfectly united Entity. The resurrection tells us this is true.

God is Personal and Trustworthy: He showed us that God is personal, caring, loving, kind and available to those who diligently seek him. He taught us that God hears and answers prayer; that he knows about and provides for our needs; and that he is fully acquainted with our entire lives. He is a God who can be trusted because he is faithful to his promises. The resurrection tells us this is true.

The End Days: Jesus foretold that he will be the Judge of all the earth. From him we learn that sin is real, that it offends God and that there are penalties for it in this life and in the next. All persons will stand before him to be judged. There will be a final reckoning and true justice will be served. Further, Jesus, who has broken the power of sin and death through resurrection, will defeat all his enemies including the devil. Then he will set up a righteous kingdom over which he will rule eternally. The resurrection tells us this is true.

The Resurrection Tells Us That God Exists!: The resurrection of Jesus Christ tells us that the God of the Old and New Testaments actually exists! It shows us that he is Sovereign and Ruler over all things and all people. He is both Creator and Sustainer of the universe and of life itself. Because God exists, truth, morality, justice and righteousness also exist. Since God is, miracles are possible. After all, God, who established the laws of the physical universe and of life can temporarily alter them at any time at his pleasure to demonstrate his power and love. Thus we live in a Supernatural universe which is governed by God, and naturalistic explanations, which omit God from consideration by definition, are found to be both inadequate and untrue.

Answers to the Questions of Life: The resurrection of Jesus Christ provides a basis for answering the great questions of life in a convincing and satisfactory way. What are these questions?¹

1. Where did I come from? A question of Origin.
2. Who am I? A question of Identity.
3. Why am I here? A question of Purpose.
4. What is the significance of my life? A question of Meaning.
5. How should I live? A question of Morality and Wisdom.
6. What should I do? A question of Guidance
7. Where am I going? A question of Destiny.

The teachings of Jesus Christ and of the Bible provide answers to all of these questions. The resurrection tells us that the answers come from the best Source in the universe, the God who made us and knows all things. So, what are the answers to these questions?

1. What is our Origin? We are made by God.

2. What is our Identity? We are a creation of God who formed us in the womb and planned for us to be the person we are. Because God made us, we have intrinsic worth. He created us to be loved and valued. He even knows our name, knows all about us, and values the love, trust, respect, reverence and worship which we give back to him. We can say confidently, that we are absolutely treasured by Almighty God. This means we can love ourselves because we are loved by God. And we can love him because he loves us. This is God’s antidote for self-hatred, low self-esteem, existential meaninglessness and the contemplation of suicide. We have a Divine right to feel loved, valued and special. We can love others because they too are special.

3. What is our Purpose? Our purpose is to love, obey and glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

4. What is the Meaning of life? Our lives have meaning because God made us and designed us to have a relationship with himself and relationships with others.

What does a life without meaning look like? For me, a life without meaning is one in which there is no one there to know me, love me, care about me, understand me, or spend time with me. It is one that is devoid of the experience of sharing my heart with another or them sharing their heart with me. It is one in which I am alone. I do not feel loved. I am isolated socially and emotionally. I have no friend to share with, no God to turn to. I am truly alone. I do not feel valued and I lack purpose in life. I may not have a good reason to live.

In contrast, what does the Christian life look like? When I received Christ into my life over 60 years ago, the Very Presence of God came into my life and I have sensed and enjoyed his Presence ever since. I have never been alone since that day. I am now in a relationship with God wherein I can tell him whatever is on my heart and know that he listens and understands. He answers my prayers. I trust him to lovingly care for me and provide for my various needs. He made me and values me so I feel important and cared for. I don’t have to worry because he’s never going away. This is the bedrock of meaning the Christian enjoys because of his relationship with Jesus Christ.

But there is more. God helps us come into relationship with others, as well, to provide additional meaning to our lives. It is so meaningful to have a trusted friend with whom one can share from the heart. I have a friend who was willing to sit with me when I was in tears years ago because of some losses in my life. More recently, I sat with him when he shed tears because his wife died. It is very special to have a friend like that. Such a relationship allows for emotional bonding and provides the deep satisfaction that we have been heard, accepted as we are, and loved by another human being. Just becoming a Christian does not mean that you will automatically have a relationship like that. But God will help the Christian to develop such relationships with people who have a common faith in Christ. In most churches, there are very loving people and it is a wonderful thing to get to know them.

5. Where can we find an adequate Moral Code? The Bible teaches God’s moral code. It is found in the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and in many other places in Scripture. God’s moral code stands outside of ourselves and of cultural norms and personal opinions. It is comprised of authoritative and eternal standards for all time. The blessing of God’s moral code is that we’re far better off trying to keep it than when we don’t because it has its own reward, and because God promises special blessings for those who follow it. God’s moral code is based on his own nature. God is honest. He does not lie or cheat or steal. God is kind and generous. God tells the truth. He is love and his commandments tell us to love. He wants us to live like he does, morally.

The moral teachings of Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, chapters 5-7) and elsewhere in the Gospels affirm and discuss the deep meaning of the Law of Moses. To me, these moral standards which are God’s, are clearly the best and highest moral standards ever given in the history of the world.

And, how should we live with respect to Wisdom? The Bible provides teachings on wisdom throughout its pages. However the book of Proverbs is especially dedicated to instruction in wisdom, and In James 1:5 God invites us to ask him for wisdom. In Proverbs, wisdom is shown to involve discernment and understanding in dealing with relationships.² Proverbs 1:20,21 tells us that wisdom is needed in every part of relational life. It is required in the marketplace, in business, in law, in government and in personal relations. Wisdom always must include morality. To act wisely is to act morally. Anything that is immoral is unwise because it hurts the self and others and offends God. It is therefore foolish. In the Bible we learn wisdom from its direct teachings as well as from the examples of the saints. The Bible is a treasure-trove of wisdom for our lives and we have much to gain by studying, accepting and practicing its teachings on wisdom.

6. Where do we go for Guidance? The Bible offers many principles of living which provide guidance in decision making. So for guidance we go to the Bible, we ask God to help us, and we consult trusted Christian friends. God knows the end from the beginning and he can show us the way.

7. What is our Destiny? God defines our destiny clearly in the Scriptures. When one is a Christian, he can know that when he dies, he will go to heaven for eternity. He will eventually receive a resurrection body and live in a newly created world in which there is no sorrow, no sin, no pain, and no deterioration. There will be great joy and much love. We will be in the Presence of Almighty God. This is a certainty that is reserved for believers.

Those who do not believe in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and invite him into their lives will not go to heaven. If they refuse to accept the invitation God gives them, they will be separated from God and go to a place called hell.

Every Religion Must Answer These Questions: Ravi Zacharias says that every religion must answer the questions of Origin, Meaning, Morality, and Destiny. Further he says, they must answer these questions in two ways: First, the answers must correspond to empirical or reasoned truth, and second they must present a unified world view.³ Only Christianity offers answers which are based on a reasoned analysis of the events of history found in over twenty-five thousand ancient texts. And only Christianity offers answers which present a coherent, unified world view. The Bible teaches us that God made us, gives life meaning, establishes morality, and determines our destiny. God himself is the unifying principle.

We Need The Right Answers: I submit that the teachings of Jesus Christ and of the Bible answer these questions far better than any other religion or system of thought. Furthermore, because of the resurrection, I submit that Christianity answers these questions correctly! This being true, all other answers that depart from them are false, misleading, and destructive and therefore should be dismissed and abandoned. To be on solid ground, we need to have the right answers to the great question of life. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can be confident this is the case.

Why Death is Feared: In the book, “The Unshakable Truth” Josh and Sean McDowell discuss some of the reasons that death is feared.⁴ They are:

1. “Death is mysterious and unknown…(and) we don’t know what to expect.

2. “We have to face death alone. If we could join (with another or other loved ones and face it together), perhaps it would be easier to bear the thought of it. But we cannot.

3. “We are separated from our loved ones. Death robs us of those closest to us.

4. “Our personal hopes and dreams will not be realized. When we die, our goals die with us.

5. “Death is unavoidable. Even with today’s scientific advances that extend the length of our lives, all of us will die. No one can escape the inevitability of death.”

In spite of the above, there is reason for hope and confidence as the Christian faces death.

The Promise of Life: In John 11:35-26 Jesus says, “I Am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (NIV). For the Christian, life is continuous through the experience of death. We “will live, even though (we) die.” It’s like going to sleep in one room and then waking up in a different room, in the presence of loved ones and in the Presence of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, the term “sleep” is used by the early church to describe death. I believe this term is used as an analogy to illustrate the continuance of life in the experience of death for the Christian.

In the Presence of Jesus Christ: On the cross, Jesus said to the repentant thief, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43. NIV. The apostle Paul wrote, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” II Corinthians 5:8. KJV. And he wrote, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. …I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it is more necessary for you that I remain…”. Philippians 1:21-24 NIV.These verses tell us that immediately after death, believers will be in the presence of Jesus Christ.

We Will Receive New Bodies: Romans 8:23-24 reads, “We long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We too wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children; including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved.” NLT. I Corinthians 15:40-44 describes these new resurrection bodies and contrasts them with our present earthly bodies. Our earthly bodies are described as perishable, dishonorable and weak. Our heavenly bodies are to be imperishable, glorious and powerful. Thus while our earthly bodies have very real limitations, are inclined to disobey God and are mortal; our heavenly-resurrection bodies will be amazingly strong and enduring, completely and positively moral and righteous, will never die and will be suited “to live eternally with God.” NIV note, p 1757.

Christ’s Resurrection Makes Our Resurrection Possible: I Corinthians 15:22-23 says, “Christ was raised first; then when Christ comes back, all his people will be raised.” (NLT). The Bible further explains that death came by Adam, who sinned and infected the entire human race with sin, but that eternal life comes through Christ who paid for our sins on the cross and gives eternal life through his resurrection. Romans 5:12,17-21. NIV. So, the Bible ties our future bodily resurrection to Christ’s resurrection. Without Christ’s resurrection we would not have that hope, but because of it, it becomes a certainty.

We Receive Our Resurrection Body When Christ Returns: Paul wrote, “We will not all sleep (die), but we will all be changed…. For the trumpet will sound, the (Christian) dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.Then the saying that is written will come true:

‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’
‘Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death is your sting?’
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I Corinthians 15:51-57. NIV.

Also we read, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive…will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be with the Lord forever. I Thessalonians 4: 16-18. NIV.

The Bible clearly states that we will be with Christ when we die, but then it says we won’t receive our resurrection body until he returns to earth. Nevertheless, because the Bible gives a physical description of heaven before Jesus returns, I believe it is reasonable to think we will function in bodily form, in heaven, before Jesus returns although not with our final glorious resurrection body.

Fear of Death is Unnecessary: Because of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, we not only do not need to fear death, we can look forward to meeting our Lord Jesus Christ face to face with excitement and joy! Josh and Sean McDowell give us reasons we do not need to fear death in light of the resurrection. They are as follows:

1. “Yes, death is mysterious and unknown, but…(because of) the resurrection of Jesus, we know…it is not permanent.”⁵

2. “We don’t have to face death alone.”⁶ Jesus promised us, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 KJV. In Hebrews we read, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So that we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear….'” Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV. Also Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled…. In my Father’s house are many dwellings; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-4. NKJV.

“From our perspective it may seem that we have to go through death alone,…(but) Christ has actually stepped into the darkness of death and awaits us there…to lead us safely through.”⁷ He will be with us in the experience of death on this side and on the other side. He is our sure comfort and our security in death.

3. “We are not permanently separated from our loved ones”⁸ Not only will we join loved ones who precede us, the loved ones we leave behind will join us later when they die. These “loving relationships will continue”⁹ in eternity even though we may be separated for a time.

4. What about our dreams and goals? The question is, have we been laying up treasures in heaven while on earth? If so, we will be blessed on the other side with God rewarding us for the good we have done. If there were goals that were unworthy of heaven, they will not matter anymore, and we won’t be interested in them. If there are regrets, God will wipe away all our tears. Our motives and desires in heaven will for the first time in our lives be perfectly pure. And since God will approve of them, we will be blessed and fulfilled in the desires we will then have.

5. While “death is unavoidable, yet it is a transition to eternal life. …Because of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, death is simply the passage to our eternal home in heaven.”¹⁰ The glory and wonder of being in the Presence of God cannot be comprehended in this life. “No eye has seen, no ear heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” I Corinthians 2:7,9-10. NIV.

We have a Sure Hope: The resurrection of Jesus Christ assures us of a place in heaven, in the Presence of Jesus Christ and loved ones, and with a resurrection body that will live forever. This “is possible because Jesus conquered sin and death and rose from the grave.”¹¹ This is a hope that is beyond amazing. It is something to get excited about, to be filled with joy about, and to look forward to expectantly. When it is God’s time for us to go to be with him, we will be blessed beyond anything we can imagine. “Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face.” I Corinthians 13:12. NIV.

Belief in the Resurrection Leads to Commitment: Once a person believes the resurrection actually happened and that it validates the claims of Christ, he then can lay hold on certain facts about him including: that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, his words are true, he is the only way to God, and that he wants to receive us to himself. If he takes this a step further and follows through on the implications these truths have for him personally, he will commit his life to Christ by repenting of his sins and asking Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior. Subsequently, as he begins to learn what the Bible teaches he will soon discover a number of new-found, life-changing realities, such as the following:

New-Found Realities for the Christian Believer:

1. God rules in the universe. He is sovereign but he does not violate the free will of man.
2. God loves me and I can trust his motives.
3. God provides for me on a daily basis.
4. God guides me every day.
5. God keeps his promises and there are many of them in the Bible to learn and believe.
6. God is tremendously powerful, more powerful than any obstacle or enemy.
7. God answers prayer. I can talk to him about anything, pour my heart out to him and he hears my prayers.
8. God is faithful and trustworthy, even in dire situations.
9. Heaven is real
10. Eternal life is real.
11. I will go to heaven when I die.
12. As a Christian, I will stand before Jesus Christ in the believer’s judgment where I will be judged for the way I have lived my life.
13. Christ will actually return to earth and set things straight when he sets up his kingdom.

A New Perspective: Knowledge of these realities, in turn, opens up a whole new way of thinking and living, which involves being in a personal faith relationship with the Living Christ. Suddenly, God becomes supreme in my life; I can trust his love, wisdom and ability to perform what he’s promised; I trust him for my daily needs; I can talk to him about anything and everything; I find his voice instructive, encouraging, correcting, comforting and much more in the Bible; I realize he helps me carry the burdens of life when they are difficult; I look forward to Christ’s return, a new resurrection body, and eternity in heaven; I realize I am responsible to him and will give an account of myself in the judgment; And, I believe he is working all things out for good in my life.

I now have taken on a very different perspective. My life has become centered in Jesus Christ instead of in the values of the world. As a result, my priorities, interests, goals, activities and friends may change. And, by intelligent faith I hold on to that which I cannot see, but have good reason to believe.

Dual Citizenship: I am a citizen of heaven as well as a citizen on earth. As such, I will be out of step with the world in some respects. Nevertheless I am still in the world and will endeavor to serve God, my family, my friends, my employer, and others in light of the way the resurrection of Jesus Christ teaches me to live. II Corinthians 5:17 says. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” NKJV. This means I am different inside. God has changed me and the way I live will increasingly reflect that change.

A Biblical World View: The resurrection challenges me to develop a Biblical world view. After all, the God who created the universe must have a Divine viewpoint about every aspect of that universe. And, he reveals his thinking to us in his Word. A Biblical or Christian world view includes the Bible’s perspective on the Nature of Truth; the Nature of Knowledge; Psychology – the study of personality; Sociology – the structure of society; Anthropology – the origin, nature, problem and destiny of man; Theology – the existence, nature and character of God; Morality and Ethics; History – seeing God’s hand over time; Science – examining God’s creation; Axiology – the study of values; and Cosmology – the study of origins.^12,13

God wants to transform our thinking so that we will see things through his eyes. Thus he tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2. NIV.

We have learned that the resurrection of Jesus Christ forces us to realize that there is a heavenly perspective beyond our worldly perspective. The verses that follow describe some of the important aspects of this heavenly perspective.

Be Heavenly Minded: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2. NLT.

Keep Your Attention on Jesus Christ: After describing the faith and steadfastness of a number of saints in the Old Testament, the writer of Hebrews says, “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2. NIV.

Do Not Worry: “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them.”

A New Priority: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and

A New Faith: all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:31-33. NIV.

God Gives Us Peace: “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7. NIV

Treasures in Heaven: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21. NIV.

Encouragement to Pray: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8. NIV.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18. NIV.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us…we know that we have what we asked of him.” I John 5:14-15. NIV.

Confession of Sins: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. KJV.

Reading the Bible: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17. NIV.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. So is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:8-9, 11-12 NIV.

God’s Window of Opportunity: “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55: 6-7. NIV.

We should respect God’s window of opportunity and respond to him when he calls. He is not obligated to keep the door open. No one can know how many chances he may get to respond to the Savior’s invitation before he is no longer able to do so.

The Lord says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” II Corinthians 6:2. NIV.

There is So Much More: The Bible is a deep well of information from which God teaches us his thoughts and ways. Only by reading and studying it can anyone develop a comprehensive Christian world view that will enable them to understand how God has created, designed and purposed every segment of his creation.

Twenty centuries ago a most astonishing event occurred. A man rose from the dead. His name was Jesus Christ. From the very beginning and throughout his life, God the Father expressed his approval of his Divine Son and his ministry.¹⁴ The supernatural miracles that Jesus performed, the amazing teachings that he gave, and the good that he did all indicated this approval. But beyond that, there were times when either an angel or an audible voice from heaven spoke to declareGod the Father’s approval of his Son. Here are those messages about Jesus Christ in the Gospels.

The Birth of Jesus Christ: Before his birth, the angel Gabriel came to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and said, “‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.'”

“‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. …For nothing is impossible with God.'” Luke 1:30-35, 37. NIV.

We also read, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. …An angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'”

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel which means ‘God with us.'” Matthew 1:18, 20-23.NIV

Words to the Shepherds: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’ …Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'” Luke 2:8-11, 13-14. NIV.

The Baptism of Jesus Christ: “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'” Matthew 3:13, 16-17. NIV.

The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ: “Jesus took with him Peter, James and John…and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased, Listen to him.'” Matthew 17: 1-3, 5. NIV.

A Voice From Heaven During Passion Week: On Tuesday of Passion Week, Jesus said, “The hour has come…my soul is troubled. What should I say – ‘Father save me from this hour?’ But that is why I came to this hour. Father Glorify your name! Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it and I will glorify it again!’ The crowd standing there heard it….” John 12:23, 27-29. HCSB Here, the voice of God spoke audibly from heaven to confirm the path Jesus was taking to the cross and to predict his resurrection.

The Resurrection Occurs: Now we come to the time and place where Jesus Christ is raised from the dead. The tomb is empty. Mary Magdalene, the other women, Peter, John, James, the other disciples, and Paul all see and meet with him. They now know he is alive!

It’s Meaning and Message: Jesus’ resurrection validates everything the Scriptures have been telling us. It confirms that Jesus is the Messiah, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, God incarnate. It validates the Christian faith. Answers to the great questions of life are revealed. Because of it, we do not have to fear death. The resurrection gives us a heavenly perspective. And through it, God the Father is speaking a powerful message about his Son Jesus Christ.

Upon his birth, God’s message was:

He shall be called the Son of the Most High.
He will save his people from their sins.
They will call him Immanuel which means “God with us.”

The words spoken to the shepherds were:

A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

At Jesus’ baptism, the voice from heaven said:

This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.

At the transfiguration, the heavenly voice said:

This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased, Listen to him.

During passion week, God spoke these words:

I have glorified it and I will glorify it again! Here, the voice of God spoke audibly from heaven to confirm the path Jesus was taking to the cross and to predict his resurrection.

By the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
God the Father is speaking these powerful words again!

THIS IS MY SON! THE BELOVED!
THE ONE IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED!

By the resurrection, God is saying, this is the One I have validated, confirmed, affirmed, authenticated, and exalted. I recommend him to you. He is my gift to you and to the world.

LISTEN TO HIM!

God spoke authoritatively, forcefully and lovingly by the resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ! And he is still speaking to us today. If there ever was a voice we should listen to, it is his. He is our Creator and has all knowledge; he has made a way for our eternal bliss; he loves us! And he has demonstrated that his Word is true.

Perhaps each of us should ask: What is he saying to me? And how will I respond? What are the stakes? What will the consequences be based on my decision? God makes the rules, we don’t. We can try to avoid, deny or distort them, but they don’t change. If you are aware that God is speaking to you now, for your own sake, invite him into your life if you have never done so.

“For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world
and lose his own soul?”
Matthew 16:26 KJV

“For God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only Son

HE DIED! HE ROSE FROM THE GRAVE!

that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NIV

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,
IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED
LISTEN TO HIM!

1. Kennedy, James D. and Newcombe, Jerry. What if the Bible Had Never Been Written? Colorado Springs: Alive Communications, 1998, p 8.

2. Thanks to my good friend, Ted Boggs, psychotherapist and exceptional Bible teacher for ideas about the meaning of “Wisdom” in Proverbs.

3. Zacharias, Ravi. Origin, Meaning, Morality, Destiny. You Tube Video. April 21, 2018.

4. Mc Dowell, Josh and Mc Dowell, Sean. The Unshakable Truth. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2010, p 298.

5. Ibid. p 301.

6. Ibid. p 301.

7. Ibid. p 301.

8. Ibid. p 301.

9. Ibid. p 301.

10. Ibid. p 302.

11. Ibid. p 302.

12. Thanks to Ted Boggs for ideas about what it means to have a Biblical World View.

13. Tacket, Dr. Del. The Truth Project. By Focus on the Family, 2006. Ideas about a Biblical World View.

14. Thanks to Dr. Rev. Terry Moore, senior pastor of Weddington United Methodist Church in Weddington, NC for ideas in his Easter sermon on April 18, 2017. In it he showed how messages given throughout the life of Jesus, by angels and by the Father’s audible voice from heaven, were spoken even more powerfully by the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.