Oct 20 2008
Proof! We Want Proof!
What is the evidence supporting the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
These verses at first glance may seem to have little in common with the resurrection of Christ, but the fact is they serve to set the stage for us as we contemplate this glorious event. From these passages we learn two truths:
● Above all else, God desires that we, by faith alone, accept His revealed word on any given subject apart from any external evidence that might exist to support it.
● On the other hand as believers, after accepting God’s word at face value, Peter exhorts us to compile whatever relevant evidence that might exist to validate or confirm the Scriptures!
Perhaps no other biblical event lends itself more completely to all this than does the resurrection of Jesus Christ! The evidence supporting His resurrection is nine-fold:
A. The empty tomb:
If Christ did not rise again, what happened to His body?
1. His friends did not remove it, for they were as surprised concerning the empty tomb as the rest. See John 20:1-9.
2. His enemies did not remove it, for they were bribed to tell a lie concerning the empty tomb. See Matt. 28:12-15.
Josh McDowell observes:
Another obvious fact after the resurrection was the empty tomb. The disciples of Christ did not go off to Athens or Rome to preach Christ raised from the dead; they went right back to the city of Jerusalem where, if what they were teaching were false, their message would have been disproved. The resurrection could not have been maintained for a moment in Jerusalem if the tomb had not been empty.
B. The tremendous and sudden change in the lives of the disciples.
Two examples will suffice here:
1. That of Simon Peter:
a. Just prior to the Resurrection Peter is seen bitterly denying his Savior (Matt. 26:69-74).
b. Just after the Resurrection he is seen boldly declaring His Savior (Acts 2:14-40).
2. That of John the Apostle:
a. Just prior to the Resurrection John displayed total contempt toward the Samaritans.
“And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?” (Luke 9:54).
b. Just after the Resurrection he displays total compassion toward the Samaritans.
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John … And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans” (Acts 8:14, 25).
C. The silence from both the Romans and Pharisees. Not once did either of these enemy groups even attempt to deny Christ’s resurrection. They hated it and tried to suppress it, but could not refute it.
The point of all this is simple: If the foes of Christianity could have produced the body of Jesus, no warnings, threats, or imprison-ment in regard to His followers would have been necessary.
D. The change from Saturday to Sunday as the main day of worship. Imagine the following:
While visiting a foreign country you are suddenly seized by some terrorists and held hostage in solitary confinement for 90 days. During this time you are permitted absolutely no contact with the outside world. After three months (for no apparent reason) you are released and allowed to return home. Upon arrival, however, you learn some incredible news. During your absence all Christian churches everywhere no longer gather for worship on Sunday, but instead assemble on Monday of each week. Your immediate question of course would be what in the world could have happened during those 90 days causing Christians to abandon their 2,000-year-old custom of worshipping on Sunday.
Yet this is exactly what happened in Palestine shortly after the Resurrection of Christ. As ingrained as the Sabbath was in the hearts and history of the apostles, it would have taken some fantastic event to change their thinking here.
E. The existence of the Church:
In less than 50 years after Christ’s death, the Christian Church had become a mighty power, causing the Roman government to view with growing concern its influence upon men and women. Legends and religions do not develop this quickly.
F. The various appearances of Christ following His Resurrection:
During the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension, our Lord made ten specific appearances before individuals or groups of individuals.
1. The first day (Easter Sunday)
a. To Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18)
b. To some women (Matt. 28:9-15)
c. To Simon Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5)
d. To two disciples en route to Emmaus (Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35)
e. To ten apostles in the Upper Room (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-48; John 20:19-23)
2. The final 39 days
a. To Thomas and the 10 apostles in the Upper Room (John 20:24-31)
b. To seven apostles by the Galilean Sea (John 21)
c. To the apostles and 500 disciples (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; 1 Cor. 15:6)
d. To James, the half brother of Christ (1 Cor. 15:7)
e. To the 11 apostles on the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:49-50; Acts 1:3-8)
Also Read . . .