CHAPTER 7 –

The resurrection of Jesus

 

 

 

 

The resurrection of Jesus is yet another miracle that many researchers deem impossible. Many think that it has never taken place and is only a story cooked up by the disciples.

   However, if we look for evidence supporting the resurrection, we can find plenty of them. Next, we are going to study some of the pieces of evidence:

 

The empty tomb. The first piece of evidence is, naturally, the empty tomb, of which unanimous evidence can be found in all the Gospels. Even the enemies of Jesus admitted it. In other words, the empty tomb was a fact too widely known to be questioned, because in addition to the Christians, the Jews and the Romans knew of the place where the tomb was.

   Also, a very strong piece of evidence supporting the empty tomb is the fact that the opponents of Jesus tried to claim that the disciples stole the body of Jesus (Matt 28:11-15). One can ask why they would have made this claim if the tomb had not indeed been empty. If there were no empty tomb, there would have been no point in making such a claim. Therefore, the only logical reason behind the claim is that the tomb really was empty.

 

The sermon of Peter. The existence of the empty tomb and the fact that it was well-known are also proven by the sermon of Peter where he spoke about the resurrection of Jesus, Acts 2:22-36, and when about 3,000 persons turned to God. This cannot be explained in any other way than the fact that the empty tomb really was well-known to people. Also, a large number of priests became obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7).

   If the tomb had not been empty, it would have been very easy for the opponents to claim that the speech about the resurrection was a lie. They would not have had to do anything else than bring the body out and show it to the people, and the issue would have been solved. They could not do this, however, which shows that they did not have the body, even though they had set a guard for the tomb. (Matt 27:62-65).

 

The linen clothes. One piece of evidence supporting the resurrection are the linen clothes (in other words, actually the tomb was not totally empty) that had been wrapped around the body. They together with different fragrant herbs, which were spread on the linen, formed about a 110 pound (50 kg) capsule around the body.

   So when the disciples came to the tomb, they perhaps did not see an empty tomb but the linen clothes that had been wrapped around the body. They found that there was only a capsule of linen with nothing inside. This proved that the body must have indeed left from the linen clothes. The Bible also tells that it was such a convincing piece of evidence that after John saw it, he immediately believed (John 20:3-8).

 

The large group that saw the resurrected Christ proves that the resurrection really took place. He appeared at best at the same time to more than 500 persons (in addition to smaller groups), of whom Paul might say, "of whom the greater part remain to this present, but some are fallen asleep." (1 Cor 15:6). This indicates that these persons were also then well-known and that other people could, if necessary, check this with them. In any court, a testimony given by more than 500 persons would be regarded as a strong piece of evidence.

 

The change that took place in the disciples from cowards into brave witnesses, indicates that they have really experienced the resurrection of Christ and his promise to pour out the Holy Spirit. Such a huge change can hardly be explained by any other way than that the experience of the disciples of the resurrection of Christ was genuine. First, they remained behind locked doors because they feared people (John 20:19) and Peter also denied Christ before that (John 18:25-27), but after that they were as brave as lions and exposed their life in the same place where their Lord had been crucified (Acts 2:14 4:13). All except one of them also suffered a martyr death for the sake of their Master.

 

The birth of the Christian church would be difficult to prove without the resurrection. A thing can not be born from nothing. However, the gospel progressed at a huge pace in the first century, and people ascertained the reality of Christ also by changes in their own life and by miracle healing. If Jesus had remained in the tomb and the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit had not taken place, this popular movement would certainly not have been born. The changed life of Paul – who was at first a vehement opponent of the gospel – is a convincing piece of evidence.

 

Historian Josephus refers to the resurrection and other events in the life of Jesus. This indicates that these were common knowledge at that time, because also Jewish historians mentioned them.

 

The Talmud mentions at least in three passages opening of the temple’s doors and other supernatural marks around the time when Jesus died and was resurrected. The Talmud also mentions that "40 years before the devastation of the temple the offerings have lost their power" (in other words about 30 A.D., when Jesus is commonly assumed to have died). All of this refers to the death and resurrection of Jesus that opened for us the way to God.

 

ISSUES BY WHICH IT HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED TO PROVE THAT THE RESURRECTION DID NOT TAKE PLACE

 

Even though there are good reasons to believe in the resurrection, some researchers have nevertheless said that it could not have been possible. They have justified their view with the following points, for example:

 

Jesus was not really dead. The first argument is that Jesus was not really dead: he was only unconscious and then revived.

   But if we look at this issue we see that it is not true, and the following issues speak against it, for example:

 

 - Several historical sources refer to the crucifixion of Jesus (Josephus, Tacitus, Thallus, Talmud). For example, historian Josephus wrote: "He was Christ. Provoked by our influential men Pilate still condemned him to death on the cross."  Historian Cornelius Tacitus has also written: "They had been named after a certain Christ, whom procurator Pontius Pilate condemned and nailed onto a cross in the reign of Tiberius."

   So we can really assume that Jesus was dead, because these several  sources also refer to this.

 

- The death of Jesus was also assured by professional Jewish and Roman soldiers. The custom at that time was that the Sanhedrin sent two rabbis and two of their students to confirm the execution of a criminal condemned to death. Furthermore, according to the Roman law, there had to be the executors and a so-called exactor mortis, "death observer”, who gave an accurate testimony of the execution. In the case of Jesus, the death was further assured by piercing His side, whereupon blood and water flowed (John 19:33,34). Piercing the side took place after He had already been found to be dead. If he had not been dead, the blood would not have separated to look like blood and water. This separation of blood and water-like blood serum is one of the clearest pieces of evidence showing that he was indeed dead.

 

- Close friends of Jesus put the body inside a shroud with different herbs, because it was a common Jewish custom (John 19:39,40). Of course they made sure that He was dead before burying Him!

 

- The idea that a half-dead, manhandled and weakened Jesus would have made an impression among the disciples, is indeed possible. A person whose hands and feet are pierced could probably not stand on his own even after a month. In other words, a person who almost perished because of his sufferings could not have convinced the disciples of being the Prince of Life and someone who won death. At most, they would have pitied Jesus.

   However, according to the testimony of the disciples, they faced quite a new kind of Jesus who had a resurrected body. This body was quite different and everlasting, so that it alone made a great impression on the disciples. This resurrection must, therefore, be clearly distinguished from the resurrection of Lazarus and the others raised from the dead. They only returned to their old bodies, but Jesus resurrected to a whole new condition. The other resurrected also died again, while death had no power over Jesus.

 

The women went to the wrong tomb. The second explanation for those believing that the resurrection never happened is that the women went to the wrong tomb.

   However, this explanation is not very good. Firstly, it does not explain the revelations of resurrection that took place. The women could even have been mistaken, but nothing explains how the disciples – who went to check – could have erred too. It is hardly likely that a double mistake occurred, and besides, the tomb site was well-known, so almost everybody knew where it was.

   The largest problem with this theory is naturally the fact that if they went to the wrong tomb, why did the opponents not bring the body of Jesus to show, so that the speech about resurrection could immediately have been proven a lie. Certainly they would have done this, if they had had the body. However, they did not have the body – which is a strong indication that the resurrection took place.

 

Was it a question of a delusion? One explanation given for the disciples believing in the resurrection is that they saw a delusion.

   However, if we study the points below, they show quite clearly that it cannot have been a question of a delusion or misperception:

 

 - Firstly, the tomb was empty and the place was known to everybody, which proves that there must have been some abnormal and supernatural reason for the body to disappear from the tomb. If the body did not disappear because of the resurrection, then what caused it?

   Neither can the empty tomb be explained by delusions, because the opponents of the gospel also knew about the tomb. Furthermore, the preaching of Christ’s resurrection would not have been successful in Jerusalem if the fact of the empty tomb had not been common knowledge there.

 

- The fact that the disciples repeatedly preached about the resurrection of Christ, proves resurrection (Acts 2:24 3:26, 4:33, 10:40, 13:32, 17:18, 26:23). They could have spoken about many other things, but they preached this, because they considered it so certain. Had it not happened, a good question is how anybody could even think to concoct such a lie. It is not likely that ordinary fishermen would have thought to speak about such a thing, unless it really happened.

 

- Delusions are usually very individual, and two persons seldom have the same delusion. Still, it is mentioned that Christ appeared to various groups of people and even to more than 500 persons at a time. This kind of a mass delusion could not have been possible, because people rarely “see the same dream” or experience the same illusion.

 

- If it was a delusion, people would have likely seen other delusions over time. However, in the Gospels is told that they lasted only for 40 days and then suddenly ceased (Acts 1:3). After that, no strange things were seen. This would certainly not have happened if it was a case of delusions caused by an ordinary disease.

 

 - One piece of evidence showing that the resurrection actually took place is the new resurrected body of Christ. He was not a mere spirit – even though He could walk through doors – but people could touch him, probe and clasp his feet (Matt 28:9 Luke 24:39, John 20:27) and he could also eat fish (Luke 24:43). If it had been a delusion, this would not have been possible.

 

The disciples lied. Another alternative is that the disciples invented the entire story of the resurrection and stole the body before starting to spread the lie.

   However, there are some major problems with this theory, such as:

 

- The first obstacle would have been the Roman guard who was placed by the tomb. These Roman soldiers answered for guarding of the tomb with their lives, and so they certainly would not have been lazy in their task. Justinianus tells in his book Digest (chapter 49, passage 16) of eighteen crimes that might cost a guard group their lives. These included, for example, sleeping on guard duty and ceasing guarding without a permission.

 

- The second reason to doubt this theory are the characters of the disciples. They were in no way inclined towards stealing and lying, based on what we know about them. It would have been against their ethical teachings. Why would they have preached the resurrection so powerfully, if they had known that Jesus was dead? Also, how could they have had the energy to act according to their roles up until their deaths? This kind of a "conspiracy theory" and a lie concerning altogether hundreds of people would certainly have been revealed sooner or later, and it would have been difficult to keep a secret.

 

- The third reason is, naturally, what the disciples would have benefited from a lie, if the resurrection was not true. The fact is that most of them were tortured and many suffered a martyr death because of the events. Of course, people can die for something they believe to be true, but hardly for a conscious lie, from which they do not benefit in any way. A person may lie only to benefit from it or to avoid something uncomfortable. The case with the disciples was at least not this, because they only suffered because of what happened.

 

The conclusion to be drawn from everything told above is that the resurrection really took place. The evidence to support it is strong enough for us to believe. We can believe it as well as the other things the Gospels tell us about Jesus.

   However, the significance of the resurrection of Jesus is not limited to Him alone. Because He lived a holy, pure and perfect life for us, we now have the opportunity to receive a glorified and perfect resurrected body as well. In order to get it, we must allow God to save us first.

   Paul, for example, has written about this:

 

- (1 Cor 15:20,42,43,53) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.

42  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.