The Proof of
the Resurrection
Easter Sunday
Morning Bible Study
April 20, 2003
The Historicity of the Resurrection
The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is not just some fanciful
myth. It is an actual, historical
fact. Listen to the testimony of these
various experts (quotes taken from Josh McDowell’s book, “A Ready Defense”.)
ROMAN HISTORY SCHOLAR
Professor Thomas Arnold, for fourteen years the headmaster of Rugby, author
of the three-volume History of Rome,
and holder of the chair of modern history at Oxford, was well acquainted with
the value of evidence in determining historical facts. This great scholar said,
“I have been used for many years to
study the histories of other times, and to examine and weigh the evidence of
those who have written about them, and I know of no one fact in the history of
mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the
understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great sign which God hath given us
that Christ died and rose again from the dead.”
LEGAL AUTHORITY
One man who was highly skilled at dealing with evidence was Dr. Simon
Greenleaf. He was the famous Royall Professor of Law at Harvard University and
succeeded Justice Joseph Story as the Dane Professor of Law in the same
university. The rise of Harvard Law School to its eminent position among the
legal schools of the United States is to be ascribed to the efforts of these
two men. Greenleaf produced his famous three-volume work, A Treatise on the Law
of Evidence, which still is considered one of the greatest single authorities
on this subject in the entire literature of legal procedure.
Greenleaf examined the value of the historical evidence for the
resurrection of Jesus Christ to ascertain the truth. He applied the principles
contained in his three-volume treatise on evidence. His findings were recorded
in his book, An Examination of the
Testimony of the Four Evangelists by the Rules of Evidence Administered in the
Courts of Justice.
Greenleaf came to the conclusion that, according to the laws of legal evidence
used in courts of law, there is more evidence for the historical fact of the
resurrection of Jesus Christ than for just about any other event in history.
The Proof of the Resurrection
The Bible says that after Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His
apostles,
(Acts 1:3 KJV) To whom also
he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking
of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
infallible proofs – tekmerion –
that from which something is surely and plainly known; on indubitable evidence,
a proof
In a sense, no “proof” can be totally “infallible”. What I mean is that even if I present to you
enough proof that would convince a jury and a judge, I may not convince
you. Some people will refuse to believe
the truth, no matter how clear it is.
Illustration
We’ve seen a HUGE example of this with the current war in Iraq. The Iraqi Minister of Information, Mohammed
Saeed al-Sahaf, has become somewhat of a joke to Americans. We remember him for saying such things as,
“My feelings - as usual - we will slaughter them all.”
“They’re not even [within] 100 miles [of Baghdad]. They are not in any
place. They hold no place in Iraq. This is an illusion ... they are trying to
sell to the others an illusion.”
“Search for the truth. I tell you things and I always ask you to verify
what I say. I told you yesterday that there was an attack and a retreat at
Saddam’s airport.”
We might find this humorous, but there were people in the world who made a
conscious choice to believe him, even when there was a great deal of evidence
to the contrary.
In looking at these “proofs”, we are going to rely heavily upon the
testimony of the eye-witnesses contained in the Bible. Last week Bill Wynne taught on “The Reliability of the Scriptures”, so
I’m not going to linger on the question of whether or not we can trust the
accuracy of the Bible. For the sake of
time, I’m assuming that we’ve already dealt with that issue.
(1 Cor 15:1-8 KJV) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the
gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye
stand; {2} By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached
unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. {3} For I delivered unto you first
of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according
to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third
day according to the scriptures: {5} And that he was seen of Cephas, then of
the twelve: {6} After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once;
of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
{7} After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. {8} And last of
all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
1. He died (1Cor. 15:3)
Prior to crucifixion
Matthew records that before Jesus was crucified, He was “scourged” or
“whipped”:
(Mat 27:26 KJV) Then
released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered
him to be crucified.
The Romans whipped their prisoners with a device called a “flagrum”. It was a handle with long leather straps of
various lengths attached. Imbedded in
the straps were jagged pieces of bone and lead.
Dr. C. Truman Davis, a medical doctor who has studied crucifixion from a
medical perspective, describes the effects of the Roman flagrum used in
whipping:
The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across [a
persons] shoulders, back and legs. At first the heavy thongs cut through the
skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous
tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of
the skin, and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying
muscles. The small balls of lead first produce large, deep bruises, which are
broken open by subsequent blows. Finally the skin of the back is hanging in
long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding
tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is
near death, the beating is finally stopped.
Eusebius, a third-century historian, confirms Dr. Davis's description when
he writes: "The sufferer's veins were laid bare, and the very muscles,
sinews, and bowels of the victim were open to exposure."
After having been whipped, a crown of thorns was placed on Jesus’ head, a
robe was placed over His open wounds, and He was beaten in the face by the
Roman guards (John 19:1-3). Then the
cross bar of the cross was strapped to His shoulders. Historians tell us that
the typical cross bar weighed 110 pounds (Josh McDowell quoting Dr. Pierre
Barbet).
The Crucifixion
When Jesus arrived at Golgotha, His hands and feet were nailed to the cross
with iron nails. Up until about 30 years
ago, it was thought that this was just legend since there hadn’t been a lot of
proof of criminals actually being nailed to their crosses. Recent archaeological discoveries have shown
that this was indeed done (Josh McDowell, “A Ready Defense”).
Dr. Truman Davis describes what happens to the human body after a short
time of exposure on the cross:
“As the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting
them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability
to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed
and the intercostal muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs,
but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one
short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the
bloodstream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He is able to push
Himself upward to exhale and bring in the life-giving oxygen” (Josh McDowell, “A Ready Defense”).
The apostle John records,
(John 19:31-37 NLT) The
Jewish leaders didn't want the victims hanging there the next day, which was
the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath at that, because it was the Passover),
so they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be
broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. {32} So the soldiers came and
broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. {33} But when they came to
Jesus, they saw that he was dead already, so they didn't break his legs. {34}
One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and blood and
water flowed out. {35} This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate
account; it is presented so that you also can believe. {36} These things
happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, "Not one of his bones
will be broken," {37} and "They will look on him whom they pierced."
Legs of a prisoner were broken to hasten death because the prisoner was
unable to push himself up breathe. In
the case of Jesus, the soldiers could tell that He was already dead.
The piercing of His side with a spear was intended to be a way of
certifying that the prisoner was dead.
The flow of blood and then water gives us evidence of Jesus’ death:
Dr. Davis records that there was “an escape of watery
fluid from the sac surrounding the heart. We, therefore, have a rather
conclusive post-mortem. Evidence that [Christ] died, not the usual crucifixion
death by suffocation, but of heart failure due to shock and constriction of the
heart by fluid in the pericardium.” (Josh McDowell, “A Ready Defense”).
We see this certification of Jesus’ death to Pilate by the centurion in
charge:
(Mark 15:43-45 KJV) Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable
counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly
unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. {44} And Pilate marvelled if he were
already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had
been any while dead. {45} And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the
body to Joseph.
There are some skeptics that say that Jesus didn’t really die. One of these theories is called the “Swoon
Theory”, where supposedly Jesus only fainted on the cross and was revived once
He was placed in the tomb.
The evidence shows that Jesus was indeed dead.
2. According to the Scriptures (1Cor. 15:3)
It was prophesied beforehand, even if the disciples didn’t really
understand ahead of time.
The prophets spoke of the Messiah’s death and resurrection (Isa. 53:5; Ps.
16:10)
Jesus Himself spoke of His death and resurrection.
(Mat 16:21 KJV) From that
time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto
Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
This wasn’t some story concocted by the disciples after the fact as a way
to try and keep a good thing going. This
was a true work of God.
3. He was buried (1Cor. 15:4)
There are some critics who say that Jesus wasn’t buried in a tomb, but that
His body was simply thrown into a trash heap or put in a shallow grave.
Other critics say that the real problem was that the disciples went to the
wrong tomb.
What does the evidence say?
(Mat 27:57-66 KJV) When the even was come, there came a rich man
of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: {58} He went
to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be
delivered. {59} And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean
linen cloth, {60} And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the
rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
{61} And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the
sepulchre. {62} Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the
chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, {63} Saying, Sir, we
remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I
will rise again. {64} 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. {65} Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make
it as sure as ye can. {66} So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing
the stone, and setting a watch.
The evidence of a secure burial:
The witnesses. Joseph of Arimathaea knew where Jesus was
buried (Mat. 27:60). He put the body in his own unused tomb. Certainly he knew where the body was. The two
Marys knew where Jesus was buried (Mat. 27:61). They had followed Joseph to the
tomb. On the next day, they certainly
knew where to go. It was these same two
gals who went to the tomb on Sunday (Mat. 28:1). John tells us that Nicodemus also was present
at the burial (John 19:39).
Solid Rock: Matthew says that Jesus was buried in a
tomb carved out of solid rock (Mat. 27:60). There wasn’t a back door or escape
hatch.
The Stone: As was customary in order to keep wild
animals from getting to a dead body, a stone was rolled over the mouth of the
tomb. Both Matthew and Mark record that
it was a “large” stone (Mat. 27:60; Mark 16:1-4). Modern engineers have estimated that it would
have taken a stone of 1 to 1 ˝ tons to cover the entrance (Josh McDowell, “A Ready Defense”). This isn’t something you’d expect a near-dead
man to be able to move.
The Guard: Matthew records that
a Roman guard unit was sent to make sure that nobody took the body (Mat.
27:66). Roman historical records tell us
that a Roman guard unit consisted of 4-16 men (Josh McDowell, “A Ready Defense”). Typically, four men would be on guard at a
time while the other twelve slept in a semi-circle around the men on duty. The
men would rotate in four hour shifts. For someone to slip past the guard, he
would have to get past the sleeping men and then get past the men on duty.
The Seal: Matthew also records
that the tomb was “sealed” (Mat. 27:66).
This meant a cord was stretched in front of the stone, with sealing clay
put on both ends, stamped with a Roman seal.
The idea was that if anyone broke that seal, they would bring the wrath
of the Roman government upon them.
Burial Procedures: Jewish burial
procedures involved winding the body in several layers of cloth and putting 75
pounds of aromatic spices (John 19:39) in between the layers of cloth. Some have suggested that this might have
revived a person who had fainted when in reality it would have suffocated
someone who was barely clinging to life.
4. He rose again (1Cor. 15:4)
On that first Resurrection Sunday morning, this is what was found:
The seal on the tomb was broken.
Somebody was going to be in trouble with the Roman government.
The tomb was empty
If the ladies simply went to the wrong tomb, did Joseph of Arimathaea go to
the wrong tomb? Did Nicodemus go to the
wrong tomb? Did the disciples go to the
wrong tomb? Were the guards at the wrong
tomb? And if all these people went to
the wrong tomb, why didn’t the Romans and the Jews simply produce the body of
Jesus after the disciples began to proclaim that He had risen?
The stone was moved.
This stone, weighing up to 1 ˝ tons, was not in its place. When you compare the various accounts by the
gospel writers, the original Greek text indicates that the stone was literally
picked up and moved away from the tomb, up a hill (Mat. 27:60; 28:2; Mark 16:3;
Luke 24:2; John 20:1). How could that have happened?
The Roman guard had fled
Though they risked losing their own lives, the Roman guard had left their
post and fled to the Jewish high priest to find protection from their boss,
Pilate (Mat. 28:11-15).
The empty grave clothes.
John describes what he and Peter found when they got to the tomb:
(John 20:5-7 NLT) He stooped
and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. {6}
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings
lying there, {7} while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and
lying to the side.
The original Greek text indicates that the cloth around the body was still
in its wrapped state, but caved-in like a collapsed chrysalis. The napkin that had been covering Jesus’ head
was folded neatly, lying next to the rest of the cloth. It’s as if Jesus had simply passed through
the grave clothes, then folded up the head cloth.
His appearances
Over a period of forty days, Jesus began to make appearances to His
disciples (Acts 1:3; 1Cor. 15:5-8).
Some have suggested that perhaps there was some sort of “mass-hysteria”
occurring, but the events don’t support this.
The disciples weren’t expecting Jesus to have been alive (Mark 16:11), in
fact they didn’t believe the women at first.
One of the disciples, Thomas, refused to believe the stories. Yet Jesus appeared to Thomas, and the skeptic
believed (John 20:24-29).
This wasn’t just some sort of vision either, their testimony included
touching Him and talking with Him.
If the disciples were simply concocting some sort of ruse, it’s amazing
that this same group of men had fled in fear when Jesus was arrested, yet all
except John would go on to die horrible martyrs’ deaths, and every single one
of them went to their death proclaiming that they had seen Jesus alive after
His death.
In addition to the twelve, Jesus appeared to others as well.
Jesus’ brother James had not been one who believed in Jesus during His
earthly ministry (John 7:5), but after the resurrection (1Cor. 15:7), James
became one of the leaders of the church (Acts 15:13), proclaiming Jesus’
resurrection.
Jesus even appeared to Saul of Tarsus (1Cor. 15:8; Acts 9), a man who was
definitely NOT a believer, but a man who had been involved in having Christians
put to death. Saul was forever changed
by meeting the resurrected Jesus and we know of him as Paul the apostle.
Paul even records that Jesus appeared to upwards of 500 people (1Cor.
15:6). If this had not been true, it
could have been refuted in Paul’s day when he made that claim, but it was not.
Even the Jewish Historian Josephus mentions Jesus and the resurrection:
Now, there was about this time Jesus,
a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful
works—a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to
him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; (64)
and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had
condemned him to the cross, those
that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive
again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand
other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named
from him, are not extinct at this day.[1]
What does all this mean?
The resurrection is an historical fact.
Dr. Paul L. Maier, professor of ancient history at Western Michigan
University, concluded that, “If all the
evidence is weighed carefully and fairly, it is indeed justifiable, according
to the canons of historical research, to conclude that the tomb in which Jesus
was buried was actually empty on the morning of the first Easter. And no shred
of evidence has yet been discovered in literary sources, epigraphy or
archaeology that would disprove this statement.”
If you are a Christian, you need to know that your faith doesn’t simply
rest on wishful thinking, but on fact.
You can share your faith with confidence because it’s the truth.
As we shared at the sunrise service, because of the resurrection, I know
that:
I serve a Living Lord
I know where I’m going (heaven)
I know I’m forgiven
God keeps His promises
I have power over sin.
These aren’t just possibilities, they’re FACT.
If you are not a Christian, you need to think about taking Jesus seriously.
Jesus said,
(John 3:16-18 KJV) For God
so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. {17} For God
sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved. {18} He that believeth on him is not condemned: but
he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the
name of the only begotten Son of God.
Open your heart to Jesus today.