In this article I will give you historical, indisputable facts, that are overwhelming evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Empty Tomb
No witness of that day or scholar of this day disputes that the tomb where Jesus was buried was empty that first Easter Sunday. If the tomb had contained Jesus’ body, that would have been the end of the story, and there would have been no Christian Church in the past 21 centuries.
The Missing Body
Who could have/would have taken the body? If the Roman or Jewish leaders took the body, they would have publicly revealed it to end this Christian movement that they were trying to stamp out. If Jesus’ disciples took the body, would they go proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection and then go through lifelong persecution, imprisonment, torture and death for what they knew to be a hoax with nothing to hope for beyond their life on earth?
The Transformation of The Disciples
Another indisputable historical evidence for the bodily resurrection of Christ is the complete transformation of the disciples.
The four Gospel reporters describe the disciples as despondent, confused and fearful men, and why wouldn’t they be, after Jesus’ crucifixion. Something dramatically changed all of them, without exception, into lifelong fearless, joyful, confident men who could not be dissuaded or silenced, who gave up all earthly advantage and safety, to proclaim to others that Jesus was alive. Only the resurrection explains this sudden and lifelong transformation.
The Suffering and Death of The Disciples
The 11 remaining disciples were in the unique position to know the truth about Jesus’ resurrection. All were tortured and imprisoned for proclaiming Christ was alive. All but one were killed (John was exiled) for refusing to stop proclaiming a resurrected Christ. Men don’t sacrifice every earthly comfort and advantage for what they know to be a lie, but these men gave up everything for what they uniquely knew to be the truth.
The Eye Witness Accounts
Over 500 people at different times and different locations saw the Risen Lord. Many of these were not hoping or expecting to see Him. Many were in a state of doubt and unbelief until He just appeared to them.
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
The Early Reports
The resurrection of Jesus was not a myth that developed decades or centuries after a good man died. From the very start, His death and resurrection was the central message of the faith. No sane person believes that a recently deceased individual is really alive, because a myth is easily disprovable at its beginning.
The Explosion of The Early Church in Jerusalem
What cannot be disputed is the historical evidence of the explosion of the early church in Jerusalem.
The followers of Jesus were few in number at the time of His death. Within weeks after His death and resurrection, the number of believers grew by leaps and bounds in the very city where He had been rejected and crucified by the ruling powers, and who did everything they could to stop the nascent movement. The resurrection explains this illogical and astonishing turn of events.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The Sudden Change in The Day of Worship
For at least 1400 years, according to the Commandment of God Himself given to Moses, the Jewish people worshipped on Saturday, the last day of the week. Suddenly the devout Jewish followers of Christ began worshipping on Sunday, calling it “The Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10). This is an astonishing, sudden cultural shift. Only the powerful miracle of the resurrection (and likely the instruction of the resurrected Christ Himself, who claimed to be “Lord of the Sabbath” and spoke with “all authority in heaven and earth” (Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5 and Matthew 28:18-20) and the affirmation of the apostles (Colossians 2:16-17) can account for such a drastic change in established, sacrosanct religious law and custom.
The Unique Experiences of Believers in Christ
A final indisputable historical evidence for the resurrection and ongoing aliveness of Jesus Christ is the unique experiences of believers in Christ throughout history since the first Easter.
Those millions throughout 20+ centuries who have truly believed in the risen Christ and submitted to His Lordship testify to a relationship with a living person who has dramatically and uniquely transformed their lives with His love, grace, forgiveness, guidance–His living presence working in and through them. He gives faith, answers prayers, uplifts morals, speaks through His Word, gives His power and presence in the Lord’s Supper, etc., etc. No other historical figure religious or otherwise, has an ongoing living relationship with his followers. No follower of any other historical figure claims to have such a relationship with a living person who has died.
Conclusion: Christ is risen indeed, and only He gives life abundant and eternal to those who receive Him by faith, and whatever He has promised, He can and will perform. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6)
