Christians around the world recently celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. And, indeed, the resurrection of Jesus is the key doctrine of the Christian Faith upon which all depends.
Jesus Himself foretold His own death and resurrection numerous times, saying, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him andthe third day He shall rise again” (Matthew 20:18-19). He also said, “Because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).
Thus, if Jesus did not rise bodily from the dead on the third day, He can be considered nothing but a liar, and Christianity is a hoax! What hope could any have of everlasting life if Jesus Himself did not rise from the dead on the third day? If Jesus did not rise from the dead, as some - even within the outward pale of churches - have said, Christianity is an empty and worthless religion.
It is as St. Paul writes to the church in Corinth, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Cor. 15:17-19).
But, in spite of the skepticism of some, there is solid evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. Not only was the resurrection of the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures, it is attested to by the New Testament apostles and evangelists with claims of seeing, touching and talking to the risen Christ Jesus. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and the writer of Hebrews all attest to the resurrection of Jesus.
Not only did Jesus appear alive to Mary Magdalene and the other women, He appeared to Peter, to the two disciples on the road to Emaus, to the eleven on numerous occasions, to James, to the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, and to over 500 believers at one time. At the time when Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, most of these eyewitnesses were still alive and could be questioned by any who had doubts - Paul invited them to do so.
Now, nearly two thousand years removed, some have said that Jesus did not actually die but swooned on the cross and later revived in the tomb - a foolish hypothesis since the Roman soldiers were well experienced with death and especially with death by crucifixion since they regularly crucified both criminals and rebels. Crucifixion victims had to lift themselves up to breathe. Hanging motionlessly meant breathing also stopped and life ended. The spear thrust into Jesus’ side left no doubt. Jesus indeed died upon the cross (John 19:32-34)!
And, even if it were somehow possible for one to be crucified and not yet be dead after hanging motionless, ceasing breathing and having a spear thrust into his side, would laying in a tomb, wrapped in burial cloths and receiving no medical attention enable one to survive scourging, crucifixion, and a spear wound to the chest? It’s certainly not likely!
Some have said - indeed, right from the beginning (Matthew 28:11ff.) - that Jesus’ disciples came and stole the body and moved it to another tomb where it probably still lies to this day. This too makes no sense at all and doesn’t explain His resurrection appearances.
It’s entirely unlikely that followers of Jesus who fled when Jesus was arrested and then hid behind locked doors would risk death at the hands of the Roman soldiers who guarded the tomb in order to steal a dead body and advance a fake religion.
To be continued in next week's issue.
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Decatur Herald and the Gentry Courier-Journal. He may be reached by e-mail at rmoll @ nwaonline .com.
Opinion, Pages 5 on 04/14/2010