Christians trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for the remission of sins and eternal life. But, is there any evidence that Jesus actually rose from the dead? Is faith in Jesus’ resurrection actually blind faith, a faith that has no evidence to back it up? In 1 Corinthians 15:13-17, Paul writes, “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Is our faith vain? What does the Bible say?
First, there is evidence from the prophets. Peter, in his sermon on the first Pentecost after Jesus’ crucifixion, quoted a statement from David, “Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Ps.16:8-11; Acts 2:26-27). He concludes in Acts 2:30-31, “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” But, Jesus’ own</i> prophecies of his resurrection are solid evidence of its occurrence. In Matthew 26:31-35, Jesus said that his disciples would be offended because of Him. When Peter denied that he would ever be offended because of Him, Jesus told him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times”. Peter did that very thing, according to Matthew 26:29-75! In Matthew 20:18-21, Jesus accurately foretold His betrayal, condemnation, mocking, scourging, and crucifixion. In John 2:19; Matthew 12:40; 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19 and 26:32, Jesus foretold His resurrection. He even mentioned that it would occur on the third day! His prophecies that He would rise on the third day were even known by those that favored His crucifixion. After his burial, the chief priests and Pharisees came to Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first” (Matthew 27:62-64).
Second, there is evidence from eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. Please read John 20:1-29. Here Mary Magdalene came to Jesus’ tomb, and finding the stone rolled away, reported to Peter that the Lord had been “taken away.” Peter, and “the other disciple” (probably John), ran to the tomb and found it empty. They left the tomb, but Mary remained. She first saw two angels in the empty tomb, and after speaking with them briefly, turned and saw Jesus Himself! Not recognizing Him, but thinking Him to be the gardener, she said, “Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away” (Verse 15). Then “Jesus saith unto her, ‘Mary’. She turned herself, and saith unto him, ‘Rabboni’; which is to say, ‘Master’. Jesus saith unto her, ‘Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God’” (Verses 16-17). She bore this testimony to the other disciples (Verse 18). Later the same day, Jesus appeared to all of them, except Thomas. (Verses 19-25). Eight days later, He appeared to all of them, including Thomas (Verses 26-29). John and Luke were present and bore record of these appearances in the Gospel accounts that bear their names and the Book of Acts (See Acts 1:1-3)! Luke records an appearance of Jesus to two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-49. They brought testimony of this appearance to the others (Verse 35). Then Jesus appeared to the others (Verses 36-49). Please read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. Paul says that, in addition to the twelve, Jesus was seen of “above five hundred brethren at once” and then of Paul himself! So, there were an abundance of those who saw Jesus alive after He had been crucified and buried!Third, there is the evidence of the empty tomb. Remember that Jesus had prophesied that he would arise from the dead on the third day. So, He had to rise ont the third day, not he second, or the fourth, or He would be a false prophet! Did He rise on the third day? First, Jesus was, in fact, dead and placed in the tomb. Brad Brombling lists the following facts:
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- All four of the Gospel records explicitly declare that the Lord was dead prior to entering the tomb (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:44-45; Luke 23:46; John 19:32-34).
- The tomb was cut out of solid rock (Matthew 27:60). Tombs, like caskets, generally are not equipped with back doors!
- The cave opening was blocked by a massive stone (Matthew 27:60).
- The stone was affixed with a seal, and watched by soldiers (Matthew 27:66). (Apologetics Press.Org)
So, Jesus didn’t get out of the tomb by Himself!
Brombling lists the following facts:
- The empty tomb was seen by at least six of Jesus’ followers: Mary Magdalene (Matthew 28:1-10), Mary (the mother of James) and Salome (Mark 16:1-8), Joanna (Luke 24:10), and Peter and John (John 20:2-8).
- The empty tomb was probably seen by at least a few Roman guards (Matthew 28:2,11-15).
- That the tomb was empty was not denied by the antagonistic Jews (they merely attempted to explain why it was empty).
- That the tomb was empty was loudly proclaimed on the day of Pentecost in the presence of literally thousands of Jews who most certainly would have denied it if they could (Acts 2:24-36).
So, Jesus was dead, he was placed in a tomb with a huge stone placed over the opening, and he was not in the tomb after dawn on Sunday. How did He get out? The four women who came to the tomb on Sunday morning could not have done it (Mark 16:1-3). Matthew says an Angel did it (Matthew 28:2)! Please read Matthew 28:1-15. Upon seeing the angel who rolled away the stone, the guards were terrified and left their post. They reported the events of that morning to the chief priests who bribed them to report that “His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.” Why bribe the guards? Brombling notes the following:
The guards were left with an empty tomb, and the Jews were faced with a dilemma. They had to deal with not just an empty tomb, but also eyewitness accounts (from neutral witnesses) of the resurrection of Jesus. What could they do? Three options were possible: they could accept the testimony and believe in the One they crucified; they could complain to Pilate about his incompetent soldiers; or, they could enact a cover-up. They were not yet willing to accept this Jesus as the Messiah. If they complained to Pilate, he might either believe or slay the soldiers. If he believed them, the Jews would be defeated. If he slew them, the Jews would be left with an inexplicably empty tomb. There was really only one option for them-a cover-up. So they bought a false report and circulated it in all directions. However, contrary to their desire, everywhere that false report traveled, so went one important fact-the tomb was empty!
No body was ever found! Here is a summary of the evidence: Jesus and the prophets foretold the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus said He would rise on the third day. He was crucified, He was buried in a tomb secured by a huge stone and Roman guards. On the third day, the stone was found rolled away and the body missing. The guards were bribed to say that Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body. No body was ever found. All of the apostles and more than five hundred brethren saw Him alive after He had been crucified and placed in the tomb. Mary and the eleven actually spoke to Him after the resurrection! The eleven saw Him ascend into Heaven Luke 24:49-51), where He reigns at God’s right hand (Acts 2:24-35). Some day He will come back for us! Are you ready?
L. John Bost