Evidence for the resurrection

Speaker: Ruth Brown

Notes

There are various theories that try to explain away the resurrection. Let's look at some of the evidence in the Bible.

The Swoon Theory - Jesus didn't really die on the cross, he feinted and came round in the tomb

• He was severely flogged, a punishment that itself often caused death (Mark 15:15)

• He was too weak to carry his own cross (Mark 15:21)

• He was pierced and blood and water flowed (John 19:34)

• Pilate was surprised how quickly Jesus died and got the Centurion to confirm (Mark 15:44-45)

• The body was put in a cold tomb (Mark 15:46)

• The body was wrapped in lots of cloth and sticky spices (John 19:40)

The Wrong Tomb Theory - the disciples forgot which tomb Jesus was buried in and went to the wrong one

• They noted carefully which tomb it was (Luke 23:55)

• The angel told them Jesus had risen (Mark 16:6)

• They saw the burial cloths there (Luke 24:12)

The Theft Theory - someone stole the body

• There was a big stone blocking the entrance (Matt 27:60, Mark 16:3)

• The tomb was guarded by soldiers (Matt 27:65-66)

• The burial cloths were left behind (John 20:6-7)

• The Jews paid the soldiers to tell this lie (Matt 28:11-15)

• Sleeping soldiers would have faced the death penalty

The Hallucination Theory - the post-resurrection appearances were all imagined

• Jesus appeared many times over 40 days (Acts 1:3)

• He appeared to more than 500 people at once (1 Cor 15:6)

• He invited Thomas to touch his wounds (John 20:27)

• He ate with the disciples (Luke 24:30,42-43)

• The disciples saw Jesus ascend into heaven (Acts 1:9)

The evidence all points to the truth of the resurrection. We need to look for the living among the living not among the dead!

Application

How confident are you about the factual truth of the resurrection? Does it really matter if it's only a story? If it was only a story, what could have motivated the early disciples to risk their lives for the gospel the way they did?

How does Jesus' resurrection affect the way we live our lives as Christians? What does it tell us about the resurrection of the dead that we shall one day experience?

Pray for one another to know more of Jesus' life and power. What obstacles are you facing that you need God to break through?

Posted: 12 Apr 2009