You Can Trust the Resurrection
By far, the most controversial event in history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, has skeptics busy searching for objections and even has some Christians on the fence. The impact of this single event has been changing lives for thousands of years, and it is in no way close to losing its power and influence. Skepticism towards the resurrection is not new; even those who walked with Jesus had trouble believing He had physically risen from the dead. However, Jesus did not have a problem with proving He had risen.
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe (John 20:27).
During Jesus’ time on earth, He did not keep this coming miracle a secret; He spelled out His own death resurrection for the disciples, and they still could not perceive it.
“And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Luke 9:22).
Nevertheless, today, there is still much skepticism and angst towards the resurrection event. Christianity is the only religion based on the death and resurrection of its divine creator. Without the resurrection of Jesus, there is no Christianity, and according to the Apostle Paul, if the resurrection is not true, then the Christian faith is ineffective.
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Cor 15:14).
The Facts of the Resurrection
God equipped His children with facts and evidence of the resurrection so that we can know without any doubt that His word is true. Take a look at some of the evidence that supports the resurrection event.
Eyewitness Disciples
The resurrection of Jesus changed the lives of the disciples for the rest of their lives, so much so that they were willing to be put to death proclaiming it. They had not all experienced a hallucination simultaneously; they were eyewitnesses of the actual resurrection. The disciples lived out the rest of their lives preaching, teaching, and converting others in the name of Jesus. This type of behavior is not built on a lie or hallucination but an actual life-changing event – the resurrection of Jesus.
Five Hundred Witnesses
A good defense team has only a couple of eyewitnesses to corroborate a story, but five hundred people’s testimony would close the case quickly. The apostle Paul wrote one of the earliest records of the resurrection, stating that more than five hundred people saw Christ. “After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:6). To prove to the people that he was telling the absolute truth, he told his audience that most eyewitnesses were still alive during that time and could be questioned.
Conversion of James the Skeptic
Jesus had a half-brother named James. He was not necessarily a believer of Jesus, especially when he witnessed others question who he was and His authority: “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked. Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?” (Mat 13:54-55). James and his other brothers did not understand Jesus’ ministry; they accused Him of wanting to be a public figure: “No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his brothers did not believe in him” (John 7:4-5). Something of great significance had to occur in James’s life to become a believer in his brother Jesus: the resurrection. The conversion of the skeptical brother of Jesus gives overwhelming evidence to the resurrection of Jesus and the power and influence over one’s life. Not only did James convert and become a believer, but he became a leading pillar of the church. James went on to author a book in the Bible dealing with faith and urging Christians to be doers of Jesus’ words and not hearers only (James 1:22).
Conversion of Saul the Church Persecutor
When Saul witnessed the stoning of Stephen, he went on a warpath to persecute more Christians. Saul was typical of those who hated Jesus and acted extremely to show it. “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison” (Acts 8:3). On his way to find and arrest more Christians in Damascus, Jesus appeared to Saul on the road, changing Saul’s life forever and even changing his name to Paul. From persecutor to evangelist and church planter, Paul’s conversion is by far the most dramatic in biblical history. Faced with similar persecution that he dealt out to Christians, Paul remained faithful to his call in Jesus Christ. He became a remarkable example of how to serve Jesus in the face of trials and adversity.
The Empty Tomb
Everyone saw Jesus crucified on Calvary and buried in a borrowed tomb, but no one could locate His body after three days of being buried. Many suggested His body was stolen, never put in the tomb, and some even went so far as to say He never actually died. No matter the excuse put forth into explaining the empty tomb, the fact remained that it was empty, and the body of Jesus was never found. This substantial piece of evidence gives the skeptic’s theories a hard blow. The crucifixion of Jesus was a high-profile event, and misplacing His body, especially under Roman rule, is highly unlikely. No matter the number of objections to the resurrection, Jesus’ body was never recovered, and the tomb remained empty; He had risen.
It is God’s prerogative to act in His creation. As the Creator, God has the right and ability to defy nature; He is not at the mercy of natural laws. When God decides to supersede a natural event supernaturally, He reveals Himself to humans and thus brings Himself glory. In other words, God is able to do miracles, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ was nothing short of a miraculous event.
