The Spirtual Forge

RESURRECTION - Evidence?

Resurrection! A point of controversy for people now as well as in the first century. Even in the gospels, those of the Jewish political group called "Sadducees (Mt.22:23)" professed that there was no resurrection. This point shows us that this was a matter of debate, even before the appearance of Jesus. In fact, it has been a subject of thought and debate for thousands of years. It all stems from whether one believes that there is a continuance of life after death, or whether death is final. Space and time will not permit me to engage in all of the aspects of this debate in this forum, so I am going to assume that you believe or lean towards belief that Jesus was a real and historical individual, and that He the Son of God arose from the dead. This article will look at some things that convinced people then, that this was so.

1.) The Grave Itself: We are told that Jesus was placed in Joseph of Arimathea's rock hewn tomb (Mt.22:57-59). A solid structure carved into rock, that was intended for a wealthy man, these tombs were prime real estate of the day. Often family structures that would house more than one body, it would have only one entrance that would be covered by a huge stone (1-1 1/2 tons) that would be rolled over to cover it. This would prevent would be robbers from stealing valuables (yes - even then), and prevent scavengers from getting into the bodies inside. Inside, would be a room which held slab or bench upon which the body would be prepared and wrapped. A second room or chamber behind this would contain a shelf, upon which the body would be placed for decomposition. The family would then return sometime after major decomposition had finished, gather the bones and place them into an Ossuary (sometimes marked, sometimes not). In Jesus' case, we know the body was taken and placed into the tomb on the preparation slab in a "shroud" (Mt.27:60) and the stone rolled over the entrance. It was too late in the day to prepare the body with the Sabbath approaching, so they had to return after the sabbath to prepare the body for placement into the burial shelf before decomposition would set in. It is the Jews that request of Pilate, that a Roman Guard be placed at the tomb's entrance, to guard it lest someone come steal the body and claim it was resurrected. A "watch" (Mt.27:66) of soldiers is placed at the entrance, meaning that there was not a time that the tomb entrance was left unguarded, without account of who came and who went. The fact that the tomb is found empty by various witnesses, and that immediately after the fact, bears witness itself of its occurrence.

2.) The Women Are The First: It is interesting that it is the women (Mt.28:1) are the first to the tomb, coming to prepare the body for its burial. In first century Palestine, women were not considered to be reliable witnesses to anything. Yet, it is to women, that Jesus first appears (Lk.24:9,10) and women who are the first to state that Jesus was raised from the dead.

3.) The Groups: Jesus then appears alive to His disciples (which we would expect Mt.28:8,9), but he appears to various individuals, groups and crowds upwards of 500 people at once. All of these at various times, by day and night, inside and out. Remember, one under the law could not claim something to be so without two or more witnesses to verify it. These appearances, all at various intervals, circumstances, and times eliminate an argument of "mass hallucination." Jesus appears unto beloved followers such as John, but then also appears to skeptics such as Thomas (Jn.20:27) which JOHN records. He even appears to opponents (Saul of Tarsus Acts 9:4-6).

4.) The Roman Guards: Mt.28:4,11-15 Witnessing the events of the tomb, Roman guards who are taught and trained not to fear, "become like dead men." When they go back and report what happened to the Jewish leaders to whom they had been assigned, the leaders bribe them to NOT tell what they knew, but to say, ""Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep." Why would they have to be bribed to lie, if nothing happened?

As John writes, "but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.(Jn 20:31)." You do not have to believe them, no one compels or forces you to do that which you do not wish to do. But, if you examine the evidence you are given, are you sure that this is something that you wish to do? If Jesus is indeed the Christ, and indeed raised from the dead (Acts 2), then you have a problem, because that means that He has spoken the truth (Jn.12:48) and I shall be held responsible. So then remember what Jesus Himself said, "If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.(Jn.12:47,48)."

Jim