500 Reasons Why I Believe that Jesus Rose from the Dead

📷Introduction: Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead? What evidence do we have that the resurrection account is true? I would suggest to you that we have at least 500 reasons to believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is true.

What is the GOSPEL message? It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-11). This is the GOSPEL we believe in today.

In this sermon I want us to walk through the GOSPEL, and as we do, I want us to point out (I will show you) 500 reasons why Jesus rose from the dead. Are you ready? Here we go…

I. Jesus was pronounced dead – Mark 15:44-45

44Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

Have you ever seen a dead person? If you have seen someone dead then you know what death looks like – still, listless, and empty. There is no life in the body, and the body is cold, and the soul and spirit have departed. This is what happened to the body of Jesus Christ.

Scripture makes it very clear that Jesus expired on the cross. Which means, Jesus died.

A Historical Record

Are you aware that “The death of Christ on the cross is confirmed by early historians, heathen and Jewish writers? Tacitus, the historian who was a heathen, wrote in the year A.D. 55, detailing passages about the crucifixion of Christ and his sufferings. Furthermore, the Roman historians Pliny the Younger and Seutonius, along with non-Roman historians Thallus, Phlegon, and the satirist Lucian of Samsota, refer to the crucifixion of Jesus in their writings.”[1]

As I contemplated the death of Jesus Christ, I couldn’t help but think of all the physical reasons why Jesus died. Here are the reasons I came up with:

1. Loss of Blood – Jesus lost a lot of blood – Matthew 27:26

And when he had scourged Jesus,

The human body has 1.32 gallons of blood, 10.5 pints or 5 liters. The max blood loss before death is 2 liters (2.11 quarts).

I have read that Jesus Christ may have lost one-fourth (1/4) to one-third (1/3) of His blood from being scourged.

What does it mean that Jesus was scourged? It means that Jesus was beaten. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, “The usual instrument was a short whip (flagrum or flagellum) with several single or braided leather thongs of variable lengths, in which small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals. . . . As the Roman soldiers repeatedly struck the victim’s back with full force, the iron balls would cause deep contusions, and the leather thongs and sheep bones would cut into the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Then, as the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles and produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh.”

No doubt Jesus lost a lot of blood when he was scourged.

2. Affixation – Lack of oxygen to the body.

The Rev. Kyle Norman at Crosswalk.com wrote, “On the cross, Jesus hangs in a position of self-suffocation. His only relief from the physical pressure upon his lungs is to hoist his weight upon his nail-scarred wrists and feet. As the hours passed, crucified in the burning heat of the noon-day sun, this action would become more and more difficult, and increasingly more painful. The Romans designed this way of punishment for this very purpose. The cross was a means to inflict the most amount of pain possible. So effective was this that a new term had to be created to describe its effects: excruciating – literally “out of the cross.”

The loss of oxygen in Jesus’ body was another reason he expired on the cross.

3. Dehydration – Lack of water in His body.

With blood loss came dehydration. Water is needed for the body. Are you aware that you can go three weeks without food, but only 3 days without water intake before it becomes life-threatening? With blood loss and being nailed to a cross in the hot sun for hours Jesus’ body was dehydrated.

Kyle Norman also penned, “It is out of this place of physical exhaustion that Jesus declares his thirst. The hours spent in the sun, coupled with the physical pain he was feeling, would have created mild, if not severe, dehydration. Jesus speaks of his thirst out of a real human need for sustenance and relief. On the cross, Jesus is physically thirsty.”

Dehydration is another reason Jesus died.

4. Sword – Shoved into Jesus’ side – John 19:34

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

When the soldier pushed the spear into Jesus’ side it punctured the pericardium. This is why blood and water came out.

Hear me - Having a sword shoved into your body cavity is a sure way to die.

Who in Scripture Pronounced Jesus Christ dead?

- Jesus – “It is finished”, and He gave up His spirit (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30). All four Gospel accounts tell us the same thing. Why? Because it happened. Jesus died.

- The Soldiers – They came to Jesus after breaking the legs of the thieves crucified on either side of Jesus, and they saw that He was already dead, so they didn’t break His legs. However, as I have already said, a soldier did take a spear and shove it into Jesus’ side. It pierced his pericardium and blood, and water came out (John 19:33).

- Pilate – He “marveled that He (Jesus) was already dead;” (Mark 15:44).

Yes, Jesus died on the cross.

II. Jesus was placed in a tomb – John 19:41-42

41Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

Both historical records and Scripture tell us that two religious men came to Pilate and asked for the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pilate made sure that Jesus was dead, and then the body of Christ was released to Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, a Pharisee. They took the body of Jesus down from the cross.

Question: Do you think that these two men knew that Jesus was dead? Of course, they did.

After they had taken Jesus’ body down from the cross, they prepared His body for a proper burial. The Bible tells us that Nicodemus came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds, and they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury (John 19:38-40).

Near Golgotha (the place of the skull) there was a garden, and in the garden, there was a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. So, it was there that they laid the body of Jesus (John 19:41).

The Bible is so full of details – God specializes in detail. Do you know why this tomb was chosen? Because it was the Jew’s Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby (John 19:42).

So far, we KNOW that Jesus died and that Jesus was buried. But what else do we KNOW? We KNOW that…

III. Jesus came out of the tomb – Mark 16:9

9Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.

On the first day of the week Jesus conquered death. The first day of the week is Sunday. It was on a Sunday that the SON AROSE!

Note: Jesus wasn’t carried out of the tomb. The disciples didn’t come at night and sneak away the body of Jesus to make it appear that He arose from the dead. And the enemy of Jesus Christ didn’t come and steal the body of Jesus Christ. Remember Pilate made sure that Jesus was dead, and that the tomb was sealed. He also had soldiers positioned to guard the tomb. So, what is the alternative? Jesus WALKED out of the tomb alive.

And again, who was the first to discover the empty tomb? It was Mary Magdalene. She had gone to the tomb, and she saw that the stone was rolled away and that it was empty. Mary quickly made her way to Jesus’ disciples, and she told Peter that someone had taken the body of the Lord out of the tomb and that she had no idea where they had taken Him.

Peter and John ran to the tomb and they too discovered that it was empty. When Peter went into the tomb, he found something extremely interesting. Scripture tells us that he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchiefthat had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. (John 20:6-7).

I ask you – if Jesus’ enemies were going to steal His body would they unwrap the corpse? And would they take the time to fold the handkerchief neatly by itself? Of course not. I believe what we have here is evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The tomb is empty, the linen cloths are nearby, and the handkerchief is folded up neatly. How awesome is this? I find all this very interesting and provocative. It makes one think!

Another interesting thing is that John who also went into the tomb saw, and the Scripture reports that he believed (John 20:8). But what is even more amazing is that they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead (John 20:9)

They found an empty tomb. Jesus’ body was absent, it was nowhere to be found. No one took it, hid it, or placed it in another location.

Jesus died (Check). Jesus was buried (Check). Jesus rose from the dead (Check). But there is more…

IV. Jesus was seen alive – 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

It is at this point in the message today that we are going to discover the 500 reasons why I believe that Jesus rose from the dead (that He was resurrected). But we will get to that in a few minutes.

Are you aware that there were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection?

How many witnesses are required in a court of law to convict someone of a crime? In the U.S. only one credible witness is required.

What does the Bible teach about witnesses? In Deuteronomy 19:15 we read,

“One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity, or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.”

When Jesus talked about trying to find resolve with a brother who has sinned against you, He said,

“Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (Matthew 18:15-16).

And what about an accusation against an elder (a pastor)? Here is what Paul wrote to Pastor Timothy,

“Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.” (1 Timothy 5:19).

My point is simple – one witness is required, but scripturally two or three are required. Now, I am talking about eyewitnesses! Who saw Jesus alive?

Mary Magdalene

The first person listed in the Bible to see Jesus alive is Mary Magdalene (the woman whom Jesus had cast out seven demons). She was lingering outside the tomb. She was weeping and as she stooped down and investigated the tomb she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. They spoke to Mary and said, “Why are you weeping?” Mary answered, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” No sooner had Mary spoken those words, than she turned around and saw JESUS standing there, and did not know that it was JESUS. At first, Mary thought that JESUS was the one who took care of the garden. She said to Him, “Sir if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” (John 20:15).

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” Mary turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, “Teacher). Mary realized that JESUS stood in her very presence alive.

I think that immediately Mary took hold of JESUS, and JESUS had to say to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.” (John 20:17).

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had spoken these things to her. (John 20:18).

This is one reason why the resurrection account is so amazing. People at this time did not respect women. And not only that, but Mary has a horrid past. God used a woman to be the first to announce the RESURRECTION. This makes the resurrection of Jesus Christ noteworthy.

But there are more witnesses…

The Emmaus Disciples

Now, after Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, He appeared in another form to two others (Mark 16:12). We read about these two disciples in Luke 24:13-35. That section of Scripture is called, The Road to Emmaus. These two disciples (many believe were husband and wife) were going home after the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. They are walking along with sad faces and kicking up the dirt. Jesus shows up next to them. He talks with them about everything that transpired in Jerusalem (the arrest, trials, crucifixion, and burial), and He points out the teachings of Moses and the prophets concerning Christ – all the things He must suffer. They don’t recognize him. They invited Him to share a meal with them. When Jesus picked up the bread and broke it, their eyes were open, and they knew Him. And then He vanished out of their sight. They immediately returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven disciples that Jesus had risen.

That’s three witnesses so far, but it gets better…

Simon Peter

Luke 24:34 says,

Saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

That’s four witnesses…

The Eleven Disciples

After appearing to Simon Peter, Jesus then appears to ten of His disciples (one is absent, Thomas), and Jesus reveals Himself to them as the risen Lord. They thought they were seeing a spirit, and so He showed them His hands and His feet (crucifixion scars). He asked for a fish, and He ate in front of them. He told them that they were witnessing all the words that He had spoken to them – all the things written in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms concerning Him. Jesus opened their understanding so that they might comprehend the Scriptures. And then He said,

“Thus is it written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,” (Luke 24:46).

When the disciples told Thomas that they had seen the Lord he said to them,

“Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25).

Those words describe the attitude of many people today. For them, seeing is believing.

We now have over fourteen people who became eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus Christ. But there are more…

Thomas

One week later the Lord appeared again to His disciples, and

this time Thomas was with them. When Jesus spoke to them, He spoke directly to Thomas and said,

“Reach your finger here, and look at my hands, and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” (John 20:27).

Thomas responded,

“My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

And please don’t miss the final words that Jesus spoke to Thomas. He said to him,

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

Who was Jesus speaking about? All of us! Will we believe that Jesus Christ conquered death? That He is alive? Will we believe the testimony of fifteen eyewitnesses?

And now the moment has arrived – the title of the message will be revealed. Turn in your Bible to 1 Corinthians 15. This chapter is all about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I want to draw your attention to verse 6,

“And 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.”

· Mary Magdalene – I don’t believe that you saw Jesus alive. I can’t trust you, after all, you were full of demons.

· Emmaus disciples – You’ve been out in the sun and the heat too long. You're overly emotional. I dismiss your words as idle.

· Simon Peter – You were a coward and denied that you were even a follower of Him. Your testimony means nothing to me. You would now say anything.

· Disciples – You guys don’t want Him dead because you are seeking to make a name for yourselves. I don’t believe you.

· Thomas – We all know that you are a doubter, so why should I believe you now?

Listen, we may be able to dismiss everyone from Mary Magdalene to doubting Thomas, but what do we do with…

· The Five Hundred – How can you dismiss the eyewitness account of over five hundred individuals? Who all claimed that they had seen Jesus alive. You can’t! And if you try to do so, you are only deceiving yourself.

Conclusion: There you have it – 500 reasons why I believe that Jesus rose from the dead. 500 eyewitnesses who saw Jesus alive!

This Resurrection Sunday we have the confidence to be able to say to people:

1. Jesus was pronounced dead – He expired.

2. Jesus was placed in a tomb – the place of the dead.

3. Jesus came out of the tomb – it was found empty.

4. Jesus was seen alive by over 500 eyewitnesses.

What are you going to do with the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection? Will these facts solidify your faith? I hope so. Will they be used to bring you to faith in Jesus Christ? I pray so. Why not place your faith in Jesus Christ on this RESURRECTION Sunday? It will be the best decision you will ever make.

[1] Martin Hengel’s book, Crucifixion in the Ancient World, gives more details.