The Reality of the Resurrection

Can one really trust their lives much less their eternity to the reality of the Resurrection. Can we know that we know that we know. Was Jesus raised from the dead or is it just a myth proposed by some zealous followers? Many people have asked these questions over the Centuries, both atheist and believers alike. I find it interesting though that stories abound of those who sought to disprove the Resurrection only to become believers themselves. Consider Lee Strobel a Journalist with a law degree who upon his wife’s salvation tried to disprove Christ only to become a Christian himself and tells his story in the book The Case for Christ. Or Jobe Martin a one time starch Darwinist who was a university professor who loved to prove evolution to his students crushing anyone of the faith. Until one day he was asked by some students to explain how a bombardier beetle could have evolved. Upon much reflection Jobe realized that it must have been created because any evolution up to its current state would have caused its own death and destruction and thereby preventing its evolution to its current state. Once he believed in a creator it was a short step to accept the God of the Bible as that creator. Again their is the story of Josh McDowell who was seeking answers to the questions of who he was and why he was here and went to the universities in search of answers only to find the professors did not have the answers. Only a small group of students seemed to have such purpose and conviction. When he asked them why they said Jesus Christ and challenged him to consider intellectually the claim that Jesus is the son of God. After much study and consideration Josh came to the conclusion that the evidence proves Jesus is the Son of God. In light of their stories and many others I would like for us to consider the evidence this morning of the Resurrection.

Christ was Dead

Mark 15:42–47 ESV

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

Many have suggested Jesus was not dead but merely swooned or that shock and exhaustion caused him to appear dead

Yet the Centurion in charge of the crucifixion clearly declares him dead in verse 45

Keep in mind this man had great experience with death from the battles and crucifixions he knew what dead men looked like. He had helped move them many times had felt the coolness of their flesh against that of the living.

Not only that but he had seen the water and the blood separate.

John 19:34 ESV

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

J. Warner Wallace a cold case detective who set out to disprove the Resurrection only to be converted states this about John’s report of the blood and water separating

It struck Wallace powerfully that John wrote of this, saying, "He was either so clever that he included some little-known biological fact that nobody would discover for 1800 years or he just reported what he saw. And as a result, we have a good piece of hidden science that confirms that Jesus actually died of cardiac arrest and was dead at the point of the body being taken off the cross."

So we know Jesus died

The Disciples Disbelieve the Resurrection

Luke 24:1–12 ESV

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

Some propose the disciples made it up

The women are the heroes the believers the first Jesus appears to

Women were nobody were little more than property and slaves their word was nothing yet they are the ones Jesus appears to first they are the witnesses.

Even the disciples don’t believe them

idle tale gossip women’s talk

Remember Thomas words - I won’t believe until i can touch his side and his hands.

These men were skeptics not delusional fanatics they had no hope until confronted with the God of hope

They went back to their old lives in misery at the loss of the one they loved. They weren’t looking for a Resurrection as far as they were concerned Jesus had failed.

The Miracle of the Linen Clothes

John 20:3–10 ESV

So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Many have claimed as the Pharisees did that the body of Christ was stolen yet there are two issues with this first is the linen cloths were folded neat and tidy this is not the work of someone stealing a body. Indeed if you wanted to steal a body you would take it and the clothes no reason to undo them at all

Then second is the guards.

Look at Matthew 27:62-66

Matthew 27:62–66 ESV

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

How did simple fishermen overcome the guards to steal the body

yet Matthew 28:2-4 explains

Matthew 28:2–4 ESV

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

Jesus Ate food

Finally some have suggested it was just a spiritual Resurrection but not a bodily one. That is that Jesus came back as a spirit not in the flesh. Yet Luke 24:36-43 acknowledges this fear and addresses it

Luke 24:36–43 ESV

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Notice that Jesus eats fish. There is also the story of Jesus being touched by Thomas him breaking the bread with the disciples on the road to Emmaus Jesus is interacting with the world physically. He is there Alive and the disciples knew it.

You see the story of the resurrection is miraculous but it it also a true story one with much evidence to support it and one that we can believe with our entire being heart body soul and mind. Following Christ means putting our full trust in him. My hope this morning is that you will put your trust in Jesus today.