Seven Facts about the Resurrectionn

Introduction: What does the word “Resurrection” mean? It means, rising again. A return to life after having died. That is what this day is all about. We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The Resurrection is the central doctrine of the Christian Church. If you could kill the Resurrection, you would destroy the Church. Various infidels throughout the ages have sought to do just that – their died, and the Resurrection lives on.

Are you aware that the greatest legal mind in American history, Simon Greenleaf (Professor of Law at Harvard University) sought to expose the “myth” of the resurrection of Jesus Christ once for all, but his thorough examination forced him to conclude, instead, that Jesus did rise from the dead. In 1846 he published An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelist by the Rules of Evidence Administered in the Courts of Justice. (David Cloud).

What is the Gospel? It means, good news. But what is it? According to Paul the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We read in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4,

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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,

In this message I want us to look at seven facts about the Resurrection. Here they are:

I. Fact 1 - Jesus died – John 19:32-33

32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Fact # 1 – Jesus died!

Will you receive this text as sufficient evidence? Do you need additional proof that Jesus died? What about the words we find in Matthew 27:50 which read,

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yield up His spirit.

Is that verse enough proof for you? What about the words we have in the Gospel of Mark which read,

“and Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.” (Mark 15:37)

Jesus died on the cross! Roman soldiers knew when someone was dead. This is why they didn’t break the legs of Jesus. They could tell that He had already expired. However, one of the soldiers did pierce His side, and blood and water came out. Bible scholars believe that the soldier pushed the spear into the sack of water that surrounds the heart, called the pericardium. And if that is not enough evidence for the death of Jesus, would the words in Matthew’s Gospel be sufficient. We read,

“yield up His spirit.”

It is a fact that Jesus died!

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ was crucified. But before his crucifixion he slapped around by the Roman soldiers, had the hair of his beard pulled out, was spit upon, and was flogged with a cat of nine tails (many people never survived this beating – their insides were opened). Scripture tells us that He beaten beyond recognition. He lost a lot of blood. When He was taken to be crucified, He carried the cross beam and in weakness stumbled. Another person was compelled to carry the beam the rest of the way. Jesus was nailed to a cross (Think this through). Are you aware that the Roman crucifixion was the most horrible death imaginable? Crucifixion was invented by the Persians but perfected by the Romans.

A Roman statesman by the name of Cicero stated, “crucifixion was the worst extreme of torture inflicted upon slaves.”

You can read in Psalm 22 about Jesus’ crucifixion 1,000 years before it occurred. Prophecy told us what to expect.

It is recorded in the documents of Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, “that there were no survivors of Roman crucifixion. In all of the decades of Roman crucifixion, there was one person who ever came down from the cross alive, says Josephus, and this person died within 24 hours."

Even though the evidence is overwhelming that Jesus Christ expired on the cross, there are still nay Sayers who claim that Jesus Christ really didn’t die.

Here is a list of the most popular conspiracy theories concerning the death of Jesus Christ.

· The Wrong Tomb Theory – The women went to the wrong tomb – an empty one – and assumed Christ had resurrected.

· The Swoon Theory –Jesus didn’t die on the cross, He only passed out, woke up in the tomb a couple of days later, rolled away the huge stone, and escaped.

· The Stolen Body Theory – This theory says that the very disciples that fled in terror after the crucifixion then risked death to steal the body of Christ from the tomb and made up the whole Resurrection story.

· The Hallucination Theory – The idea is that everyone who claimed they saw Jesus alive after His death was just hallucinating. (Four Theories that Try to Explain away Christ’s Resurrection and Why They Don’t Add Up, Paul Strand).

Fact # 1 – Jesus died!

II. Fact 2 - Jesus was buried – Luke 23:50-55

50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. 55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.

One day Swen was walking down one side of the road, and Olaf was walking down on the other side of the road. Swen saw Olaf and he yelled across the road, “Olaf, I heard your wife died last week.” Olaf yelled back, “Hope so, we buried her yesterday.”

When people die, we bury them. This is what happened to the body of Jesus Christ as well. Jesus was taken down from the cross by two religious’ men. One is called a “rich man” (Matthew 27:57) by the name of Joseph of Arimathea. Matthew tells us that he was a secret disciple of Christ because of fear of the Jews (John 19:38), and the other man is Nicodemus. He was the Pharisee that came and questioned Jesus about eternal life (John 3). These men asked for permission from Pilate to remove the body of Jesus and give Him a proper burial (John 19:39). Permission was granted.

Joseph and Nicodemus took the body of Jesus, and they prepared it for burial. They took a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighting 100 pounds and anointed the body of Jesus. They wrapped the body of Christ tightly with linen cloth. Afterwards they laid His body in a new tomb. We read in Matthew 27:59-60,

59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

Fact # 2 – Jesus was buried.

III. Fact 3 - Jesus’ tomb was guarded – Matthew 27:65-66

65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

The religious leaders feared that Jesus’ disciples might come and steal His body, so, they asked Pilate for soldiers to guard the tomb.

Who Guarded the Tomb?

Don Stewart writes, “There is a question as to which one of the two groups was watching over it. The context seems to favor the Roman guard. The Roman guard was a sixteen-man unit that was governed by very strict rules. Each member was responsible for six square feet of space. The guard members could not sit down or lean against anything while they were on duty. If a guard member fell asleep, he was beaten and burned with his own clothes. But he was not the only one executed, the entire sixteen-man guard unit was executed if only one of the members fell asleep while on duty.” (Blue Letter Bible).

Fact # 3 Jesus’ body was carefully guarded.

IV. Fact 4 - Jesus rose from the dead – Luke 16:1-8

1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” 8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

How do we KNOW that Jesus really rose from the dead? I wasn’t there. You weren’t there. No one alive today was there. So, how do we know it’s true? Well, I wasn’t alive when George Washington was President, and I wasn’t alive when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, but I believe both of those historical events are true. Why? Because eyewitnesses wrote and recorded those events for everyone that follows. The same is true with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I read this text and I saw four things:

1. The testimony of Scripture. Will you believe it?

2. The testimony of the women that went to the tomb – they found it empty. Will you believe them?

3. The testimony of the angel clothed in white – “He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.” Will you believe him?

4. The testimony of the empty tomb.

Fact # 4 – Jesus rose from the dead.

V. Fact 5 - Jesus appeared to many – 1 Corinthians 15:5-8

5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After

that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

Here is a list of those who saw Jesus alive:

· He was seen by the women. Mary Magdalene was the first – Mark 16:9

· He was seen by Cephas (Peter). Jesus cooked him breakfast on the beach of the sea of Galilee – John 21

· He was seen by the eleven. They saw Jesus alive – Matthew 28:17. He rebuked their unbelief – Mark 16:14

· He was seen by the two Emmaus disciples. Jesus opened their eyes to see Him – Luke 24

· He was seen by over 500 brethren at once. Some of these had died, but many of them were alive.

· He was seen by James – A skeptic’s whose life was changed – 1 Corinthians 15:7

· He was seen by all the apostles. Thomas was also present with them.

· He was seen by Paul (one born out of due time). The persecutor of Christians became the greatest defender for the Christian faith.

How many eyewitnesses do you require before you believe that an event occurred? 3, 10, 25, 100, 500? Are you aware that over 527 people witnessed Jesus Christ alive?

He lives, He lives, Jesus Christ is alive.

One of the greatest stories we read in the Bible is about when Jesus appeared to the eleven and Thomas was absent. When the disciples told him that they had seen the risen Lord he said, “I will not believe unless I see Him, and unless I put my fingers in his nail prints and thrust my hand into His side.” For many people seeing is believing. Eight days later Jesus appeared to Thomas, and when Thomas saw the risen Lord he said, “My Lord and My God!” He didn’t have to put his fingers in Jesus’ nail prints or thrust his hand into Jesus’ side. No, he saw Jesus alive!

Here is what Jesus said to Thomas,

“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Fact # 5 – Jesus appeared to many!

VI. Fact 6 – Jesus had people lie about Him – Matthew 28:11-15

11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

How do you hide the truth? You hire Dr. Fauci (just a joke). No, but you do pay people to share a narrative that is not true. This is exactly what the chief priests did. They consulted with the elders, and they decided to pay a large sum of money to the soldiers if they would be willing to share a false narrative. Have you ever heard the statement, “Follow the money trail?” Here was the narrative that the soldiers were required to share,

“saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.” Matthew 28:13

The religious leaders assured that if the words reached the governor's ears that they would appease him, and make sure they were secure. So, these soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed, and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Satan knows that you hold back the truth with lies! And I would say that if you offer enough money that people will line up to share your lies.

Fact # 6 – Jesus had people lie about Him!

VII. Fact 7 - Jesus gave us the Great Commission – Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Have you heard of the Great Commission? Only someone risen from the grave could have laid out a strategic plan to transform the world – Jesus did! When Jesus shared the Great Commission with His disciples the world would never be the same. My life, your life, and many in your family have been forever changed. Why? Because the disciples of Jesus Christ carried out the Great Commission.

The late D. James Kennedy wrote, “The greatest historical evidence for any historical fact is that an institution be built upon that fact. Any secular historian will tell you that the church of Jesus Christ began in the year 30 A.D. in Jerusalem, when the followers of Jesus of Nazareth began to proclaim … what? That he had risen from the dead—that’s what! The church was built on an empty tomb. The greatest institution the world has ever seen, the largest institution that has ever existed on this planet, was built on a hole in the ground with nothing in it.”[1]

And here is how it started – Jesus Christ said to His followers in Matthew 28:18-20,

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The Great Commission shared by Jesus to His disciples is still relevant today. It hasn’t changed. What do we have in these verses?

1. Jesus’ Power – v. 18

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

The word “authority” in verse 18 can be translated “power”. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that God makes available to all of us Christ followers today. We have been given the authority to go and change the world.

2. Jesus’ Program – v. 19-20

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In verses 19-20 we have the program, and within the program of Jesus Christ there is the plan, the purpose, and the place.

A. The Plan – “Go”. Jesus sent out His disciples into the world.

B. The Purpose – Make disciples. As you are going make disciples.

C. The Place – The nations. All the ethnic groups of the world.

3. Jesus’ Promise – v. 20

20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The reason the church has been so successful through the ages is that it has never been alone. Jesus is with us all the time – here at home and abroad. Never lose sight of this wonderful promise.

No, never alone – never, never alone!

Fact # 7 – Jesus gave the Great Commission!

Conclusion: There we have Seven Facts about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Seven facts that you cannot ignore. Seven facts that you must grapple with.

Please hear what I am about to say. I am a believer in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ based on FACTS that have been revealed in Scripture and tested through the ages. Every other religious leader of every faith group around the world has died and was buried and remains in their graves to this day. But this is not true with Christianity. The tomb of Jesus empty – Jesus is alive.

Most critical historians agree on these minimal facts about Jesus's resurrection:

1. Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus's body in a tomb.

2. Women found Jesus's tomb empty on the third day.

3. Various people experienced Jesus risen from the dead.

4. Opponents like Paul and James converted when they experienced Jesus risen.

5. The church began and exists because various people experienced Jesus risen.

What will you do with the evidence that I presented today?

I want to close this message by playing the hymn “Because He Lives.” Listen carefully to these lyrics. I’ve printed the lyrics out below for you to follow the song.

God sent His son They called Him Jesus He came to love Heal and forgive He bled and died To buy my pardon An empty grave Is there to prove My savior lives

And because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives All fear is gone Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living Just because He lives

And then one day I'll cross the river And I'll fight life's final war with pain And then As death gives way to victory I'll see the lights of glory And I'll know He reigns

Because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives All fear is gone Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living Just because He lives (He lives)

Hallelujah He lives

[1]Christianity Today. (1988). Today’s Best Sermons: 52 Sermons on Holidays & Special Events (Vol. 3). Christianity Today.