The Resurrection

In this week’s article, I aim to delve into the resurrection of Jesus Christ and present compelling arguments that support its occurrence. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity, as emphasized by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” Without the resurrection, Jesus would merely be another Jewish teacher, and Christianity would be a meaningless belief system. Therefore, it is imperative to examine the evidence that proves the resurrection and reaffirms the belief that Jesus Christ is God. Throughout this article, we will explore a range of evidence that attests to the resurrection’s validity, so prepare yourself for an exciting and informative read.

There are various approaches one can take to substantiate the claim of Jesus’ resurrection. In this discussion, we will primarily focus on the historical and prophetic evidence, which together offer a profound and comprehensive understanding of this significant event. By examining sources from both within and outside of the Bible, we can gain a more well-rounded perspective on the matter at hand. With this in mind, we will explore various aspects of the resurrection story to build a compelling case for its veracity.

Historical Evidence

There are several avenues to explore when considering historical evidence, but a good place to begin is with the resurrection accounts found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. By examining these four books, we can identify several similarities, starting with the empty tomb. The significance of the empty tomb lies in the context surrounding it. Had the tomb not been empty, the claims of Christianity would have been undermined, and any attempt to disprove them would have been as simple as opening the tomb to reveal Jesus’ body.

To establish the veracity of the empty tomb, it is essential to examine the precautions taken to prevent any tampering or theft of Jesus’ body. As recorded in Matthew 27:64-65, Pilate ordered a Roman Guard to be stationed in front of the tomb for the first three days after Jesus’ burial. A Roman Guard was typically comprised of eight or more highly-trained soldiers who were entrusted with securing significant public buildings and protecting important officials and members of the imperial family. Moreover, a seal was placed on the stone that covered the tomb’s entrance, though the specific design used on Jesus’ tomb is not mentioned in the New Testament. The seals were typically made of clay, rope or metal and bore a unique design or symbol that was specific to their owner. Finally, the tomb’s entrance was blocked by a massive stone, further making it difficult for any disciples to remove Jesus’ body. The combination of a Roman Guard, a sealed tomb, and a large stone guarding the entrance makes it highly unlikely that the disciples could have stolen Jesus’ body, reinforcing the likelihood of the empty tomb.

The precautions taken to prevent the disciples from getting Jesus’ body highlight the unlikelihood of them sneaking past the guards and stealing the body. This fact challenges the notion that the resurrection of Jesus was a fabricated story made up by the disciples. Moreover, the Gospels’ portrayal of women as the first witnesses to the empty tomb is significant, given the patriarchal society of first-century Israel. Women were not regarded as reliable witnesses in Jewish oral tradition, making it highly unlikely for men to believe their testimony about Jesus’ resurrection. This cultural context adds weight to the authenticity of the Gospels’ account of women being the first to discover the empty tomb.

It is worth noting that the disciples’ decision to portray women as the primary witnesses to the resurrection is not only a sign of their honesty but also an indication of the challenging nature of their message. The fact that the disciples were willing to include an account that was potentially embarrassing to their cause shows their commitment to the truth. In doing so, they were not merely creating a believable story to attract followers but were sharing the facts as they had occurred, despite the potential backlash that such a claim might receive.

The disciples’ reluctance to embellish their story with a more heroic portrayal of themselves fighting off the Roman guards and finding the resurrected Jesus, further supports their integrity. In a society that valued strength and courage, such an account would have been more credible to the first-century audience. However, the disciples chose not to enhance their story in this way, indicating that their primary goal was to share the truth as they had experienced it rather than to fabricate a compelling narrative. Overall, the cultural context of first-century Israel, the portrayal of women as the primary witnesses, and the disciples’ decision not to embellish their story, all provide compelling evidence for the authenticity of the Gospels’ account of the resurrection of Jesus. The disciples’ commitment to the truth, despite potential ridicule and disbelief, speaks to the veracity of their testimony and the power of their message.

Eyewitness Accounts

Looking at the resurrection accounts in the gospels, we see that the first eyewitnesses were the women. However, the gospel accounts also show that Jesus appeared to the disciples on multiple occasions, demonstrating that he was physically present and not merely a spiritual vision. He allowed the disciples to touch him and even ate in front of them to prove that he was not a ghost.

One of the disciples, Thomas, was not present during one of these encounters, and initially expressed doubt when he heard about it. But when Jesus appeared to him later and allowed him to touch his wounds, Thomas believed and declared Jesus to be his Lord and God.

The eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection don’t stop there. According to 1 Corinthians 15:6, Jesus was seen by over 500 people at once. The apostle Paul even challenged his readers to go and find some of these witnesses if they doubted his account.

Additionally, the book of Acts records that Jesus continued to appear to his followers for 40 days after his resurrection, teaching them about the Kingdom of God. These post-resurrection appearances and teachings were a crucial part of the early Christian message and helped to establish the truth of the resurrection among the first believers.

James (The Brother of Jesus) Becomes a Believer

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is the conversion of his brother James. The fact that James initially did not believe in Jesus, as evidenced by John 7:5, makes his transformation even more remarkable. It is clear from the New Testament that James became a prominent leader in the early Christian community and even wrote one of the books of the New Testament. In fact, the first verse of the book of James identifies him as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is significant because it shows that James not only became a believer, but he also became a key figure in spreading the message of Jesus.

So what caused James to convert to Christianity? The most likely explanation is that he had a personal encounter with the risen Jesus. After the crucifixion, Jesus appeared to many of his followers, including James. This experience would have been so powerful and transformative that it could explain James’ sudden conversion and subsequent dedication to spreading the gospel. Additionally, James’ own experience would have added weight to his message and helped to convince others of the truth of the resurrection. Overall, the conversion of James is a powerful piece of evidence that supports the reality of the resurrection and the transformative power of the message of Jesus.

Paul Becomes a Believer

The transformation of Paul from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Jesus is a remarkable testament to the reality of the resurrection. Before his conversion, Paul, then known as Saul, was a zealous Pharisee who actively sought to eradicate the early Christian movement. He was present at the stoning of Stephen, one of the earliest Christian martyrs. However, on his way to Damascus, Saul had a life-changing encounter with the risen Jesus, which caused him to dramatically shift his beliefs and dedicate his life to spreading the gospel.

This experience was so transformative that it led to a complete change in Paul’s character and mission. He became one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, authoring much of the New Testament and establishing many churches throughout the Mediterranean region. Paul’s testimony is a powerful reminder of the reality of the resurrection and the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ. It also highlights the fact that the resurrection was not just a historical event that happened in the past, but a living reality that continued to impact people’s lives in profound ways.

Non-Biblical Accounts

While not being eyewitness accounts, the non-Biblical accounts of Josephus and Tacitus are significant pieces of evidence for the existence and crucifixion of Jesus. Josephus, a Jewish historian, wrote about Jesus in his “Antiquities of the Jews” (Book 18, Chapter 3, Paragraph 3) where he referred to Jesus as a “wise man” who was “put to death by Pilate.” While there is some debate among scholars about the authenticity of certain parts of Josephus’s account, it is generally accepted that his writings mention Jesus. Tacitus, a Roman historian, also wrote about Jesus in his “Annals” (Book 15, Chapter 44), where he referred to Jesus as “Christus” and mentioned his crucifixion under Pontius Pilate. The fact that these two historians, who were not Christians and wrote about Jesus and his crucifixion, adds weight to the historical evidence of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. When taken together with the eyewitness accounts in the Bible, it provides a compelling case for the reality of Jesus’s death and resurrection.

Prophetic Evidence

The fulfillment of prophecy is a powerful argument for the resurrection of Jesus. The prophecies regarding Jesus were written hundreds if not thousands of years before His birth, yet He fulfilled them all with precision. Psalm 22 speaks of the suffering and death of the Messiah, including the piercing of His hands and feet, and the casting of lots for His clothing. Psalm 16 speaks of the Messiah not seeing corruption, which is a clear reference to His resurrection. Isaiah 53 is perhaps the most well-known messianic prophecy, describing the suffering and death of the Messiah and how He would bear the sins of many. All of these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The fact that these prophecies were written so long before Jesus was born and yet were fulfilled in such detail is a strong argument for the truth of the resurrection.

Psalm 22

Psalm 22 is a powerful messianic prophecy that gives specific details about Jesus’ death on the cross. In addition to the well-known verses about the piercing of His hands and feet (verse 16) and the dividing of His garments (verse 18), verse 21 provides even more context to the prayer of the Messiah character. The plea for salvation from the mouth of the lion and the rescue from the horns of the wild oxen is a metaphorical representation of Jesus’ victory over Satan and his minions. The prayer is a cry for deliverance from the power of death and sin, and the following hymn to the LORD in verses 22-24 is a powerful indication of the resurrection. This hymn of praise to God after the plea for salvation demonstrates that the Messiah’s prayer was answered, and that He had overcome death and the forces of darkness. The fulfillment of this prophecy in Jesus’ resurrection is a compelling reason to believe that He is the Messiah and the Son of God.

Psalm 16

Psalm 16:10 is a powerful prophecy that points to the resurrection of Jesus. In this verse, King David prophesies that God will not abandon his soul to Sheol or allow His Holy One to see corruption. This refers to the fact that Jesus’ body did not decay in the tomb, but rather was resurrected and glorified. This is a clear indication that Jesus is the Holy One referred to in the prophecy, and that God had a plan for His resurrection. The fact that this prophecy was made by King David, hundreds of years before Jesus was born, adds to its significance and provides strong evidence for the resurrection. In fact, Peter himself used this prophecy to prove the resurrection to the Jews in his sermon in Acts 2:25-31.

Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53 is perhaps the most well-known Messianic prophecy, with many scholars debating whether it contains references to Jesus’ resurrection. While some argue that the phrase “he shall see his offspring” in Isaiah 53:10 could be interpreted as a reference to a resurrection, others including me are not so convinced. Nevertheless, this interpretation suggests that the suffering servant will not merely die but continue to live and produce offspring, which could be seen as evidence of a resurrection. Keep in mind that “offspring” could be interpreted in a spiritual manner. Although some may be uncertain about this interpretation, it is undeniable that the phrase “he shall prolong his days” in the same verse is a more solid reference to the resurrection of Jesus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of Christianity, and its validity is vital to the belief that Jesus is God. The evidence supporting the resurrection is extensive, from the historical evidence of the empty tomb, the precautions taken to prevent tampering, and the women being the first witnesses, to the eyewitness accounts of multiple people who saw Jesus after his resurrection. Moreover, the disciples’ commitment to the truth, despite potential ridicule and disbelief, adds weight to the veracity of their testimony and the power of their message. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event that not only demonstrates God’s power but also proves that death is not the end. Through Jesus’ resurrection, believers have hope for their eternal salvation and can confidently proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Authors notes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the coming weeks, I’m excited to delve even deeper into the fascinating topic of Messianic prophecy. I aim to explore a broad range of interpretations of the passages used in this post and to provide you with the most comprehensive and honest insights. If you’re as intrigued as I am about this subject, I invite you to join us on this exciting adventure. Make sure to check back frequently for new updates, or even better, sign up for our newsletter to receive all our latest blog posts directly to your inbox. Together, let’s uncover the mysteries of prophecy and discover what they reveal.

Before wrapping up, I’d like to make one final disclosure. While I have presented a number of compelling arguments for Christ’s resurrection, it’s important to note that there is much more evidence out there that I haven’t had the chance to cover. Rest assured, I plan on delving deeper into this topic in future writings. However, if you’re hungry for more now, I highly recommend checking out some of the sources I’ve listed. For a comprehensive take on the subject, I suggest diving into “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell. And if you’re interested in exploring the theological implications of the resurrection, “The Risen Jesus and Future Hope” by Gary R. Habermas is an excellent choice. I hope this article has been helpful, and I look forward to continuing this conversation in the future.

For information about women in first-century Israel check out the book “Jewish Women in Greco-Roman Palestine” by Tal Ilan. 

For more information about ancient Rome check out the “Journal of Roman Archaeology volume 20“.