In Light of History: is the evidence of Jesus Christ compelling? 2

Describe the image.

The artist Fillippo Tarchiani portrays the moment when the resurrected Jesus reveals his identity to two of his confused disciples. They are surprised when they realize the person they had been walking with and talking to was none other than their Lord, Jesus Christ. Though the concept of a bodily resurrection was not new to Jewish people, they had never seen it happen. The resurrection was seen as a hope for the end of time.

What are your initial thoughts about resurrection?

What is resurrection?

Resurrection is when a person who died returns to life in the same body. Resurrection differs from reincarnation, which teaches that a person returns to life in a different body based on their good or bad deeds. According to the Bible, around 32 A.D., Jesus Christ was crucified and buried in a cave, which was then covered with a large rock. Roman soldiers guarded the tomb. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead in the same body. Yet, his resurrected body would never again suffer death.

Did the resurrection of Jesus happen?

Here is what the biblical historical records indicate:

1. Jesus’s body was not found in his tomb (Matthew 28:5-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-8, John 20:1-10).

2. Jesus appeared to his disciples and about 500 other people after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

3. The disciples, risking their own lives, boldly told people about the death and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 4:1-21).

4. The Christian church began because people who witnessed the death of Jesus believed he rose from the dead (Acts 2:14-41).

What do other sources say and what is the Christian response?

1. Some suggest Jesus did not die but that he fainted or was comatose. However, the Roman soldiers were convinced he did die. If they allowed a prisoner to escape, they would suffer the death penalty themselves.

2. Others suggest that the disciples stole his body and spread rumors of his resurrection. This is very unlikely considering that Roman soldiers were guarding the tomb and the disciples were not trained soldiers. How could the disciples have rolled the stone away from the tomb without attracting the attention of the soldiers, even if they were sleeping?

3. Some think the authorities stole his body. If that were true, when stories of his resurrection surfaced, they would only need to produce the body to put an end to the rumors.

Do you think the historical evidence points to the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Why or why not?

Why do you think the resurrection is so important to Christians?

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

What do you think Jesus meant by the above statement?

Does the resurrection of Jesus give you hope? Explain.