Why is Jesus' Resurrection so Convincing?
Jesus was seen by many witnessesHistory happened – and many ancient monuments, like the Egyptian pyramids, remain to prove it. They bear witness to events that took place hundreds of years ago. The resurrection of Jesus also happened, but nothing was left behind because the tomb was empty! Instead, we have something far more convincing – the written record of those who saw Him alive after His death.
The life, miracles, and resurrection of Jesus, say the New Testament writers, are not cleverly invented stories, but eye-witness accounts of what actually happened. His resurrection has a central place in the preaching of the Early Church and once again we must listen to the witnesses and give our verdict.
Jesus was seen alive by manyWe are told that Jesus came alive on the third day after His crucifixion, and that He was seen by many during a period that lasted forty days.
Historic NoteRich men were buried in a cave-like tomb with a stone in front.Jesus “borrowed” a rich man’s tomb.
Acts 1 v3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men 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.
What is significant in this passage?
Many Witnesses make the truth more certainTwo or three witnesses were enough to confirm truth and convict a wrongdoer under the Jewish law . See how many witnesses there were to confirm the truth of Jesus’ resurrection!
1 Corinthians 15 v3-9For 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, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
He was a real person - not a ghostThe disciples had a close-up view of Jesus. He was not some distant and shadowy figure, nor was He a spirit or ghost. To convince them, Jesus showed them His pierced hands and feet and invited them to touch Him. He also ate some cooked food to prove that His body was a real one.
Luke 24 v39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see;a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
The disciples were unlikely to lieJesus had many enemies. Those responsible for His death said He had not come alive. However, they could not produce the body of Jesus to prove that He was still dead. So they spread the rumour that the disciples had stolen the body and were lying about His resurrection. But it is very unlikely that the disciples would invent the resurrection of Jesus for the following reasons:
Lies are inconsistent with the Gospel's high moral toneThe New Testament writers encourage believers to live up to the high standards set by Jesus Christ. Their strong condemnation of lying suggests they themselves are honest and truthful men.
Ephesians 4 v25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour,for we are all members of one body.
It is sinful to lie, but it is even worse to encourage others to believe your lie. The disciples proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus as a truth that had to be believed.
There was nothing to be gained by lyingWhen people lie they hope to get something from it, or they might just as well tell the truth. The apostles would get nothing from lying about the resurrection of Jesus, as the authorities were bitterly opposed to any mention of it. When the apostles continued to preach that Jesus was alive they were threatened with prison and death.
Acts 5 v30-33The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
The disciples weren't easily fooledSome people say that the disciples were honest and sincere men who simply imagined they saw Jesus. In other words, they were fooled into thinking that He had come alive. But there are serious reasons why this is far from likely. Consider the following:
Daylight appearances suggested it wasn't imaginedThe mind is less likely to imagine things in the broad light of day. Jesus made daytime appearances on several occasions. On one such occasion the disciples joined Jesus for breakfast on the shores of a lake!
John 21 v1-14Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), 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 (for he had taken it off) 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." Simon Peter climbed aboard 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.
It is unlikely that so many were deceivedConsider again the many people who saw Jesus alive. On one occasion 500 men were present. Where they all deceived?
1 Corinthians 15 v6After 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.
Later persecutions would be a reality checkThose prone to a wild imagination are likely to be sobered up by the thought of painful opposition. The threat of death brings a person “down to earth”. The disciples were not suffering from an over-active imagination. They were thoroughly convinced that Jesus had come alive, and were prepared to die for it.
Acts 7 v59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Many in Jerusalem were convinced that Jesus had been raised from the dead. They were very close to these events and would certainly have investigated the matter for themselves before facing opposition and risking their lives. They were prepared to suffer for truth, but not for a lie or an imagined experience.
The resurrection was to be expectedWe should expect Jesus to be raised from the dead if He was punished for the sin of others. For as soon as the penalty of sin was paid, there was no more reason for death to hold Him.
It is unjust to keep a prisoner in jail for any longer than his crime deserves!
If Jesus dies for sin He had to riseIf Jesus is not risen, there is no reason to believe that the punishment He received was adequate. The believer would then remain guilty of sin and be denied a place in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 15 v17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
The resurrection of Jesus is therefore essential before sinners can be declared acceptable to God.
As the originator of life, Jesus had to riseIf Jesus is God (Study 1) it is impossible for death to conquer Him. The One who gave life to everything, cannot be overcome by death.
Acts 2 v24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death,because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
To guarantee a future resurrection, Jesus had to riseJesus was raised as an example of how others would be raised when He returns to this world. Jesus paid the price of sin so that all the consequences of sin might be undone. This includes physical death. Believers will be victorious over death, just as Jesus was. At His return their bodies will be raised back to life again.
And FinallyJesus had to rise or He would not be able to act as the world’s Judge. The resurrection was the ultimate sign that Jesus really would be the judge of the world.
Faced with these considerations, what is your verdict on the resurrection of Christ? The events considered are so immense, and the issues so important, that they require a response.
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