How do we know the resurrection happened?

So much hangs on the resurrection of Jesus. As the apostle Paul tells us, if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins (1 Corinthians 15). So how do we know Jesus really did rise from the dead?

What other explanation could there be?

1. The women went to the wrong tomb

The gospel writers make it clear that the women saw where the body was buried (Mark 15:47), not only that but they don’t merely discover an empty tomb, but a tomb that had folded linen and angels proclaiming that Jesus has risen. And then of course, there are the resurrection appearances! If the women had gone the wrong tomb the authorities would have simply produced the body when the disciples started proclaiming the resurrection.

2. The disciples were hallucinating

It’s unlikely for more than one person to hallucinate the same thing, nevermind over 500 people to see the same thing! In 1 Corinthians 15 we are told that Jesus appeared to more than 500 at the same time. Someone has worked out that if you gave each of them 15mins to testify then you would have over 3 weeks of court room testimony from eye witnesses to the resurrection.

3. The disciples/thieves stole the body

It wouldn’t make sense for thieves to leave the valuable linen behind, and the disciples were surely too terrified to mount such a daring mission. We’re told in John 20 that the disciples were hiding for fear of the Jews. But more than that, why would they steal the body, what benefit would it be to them? All of the disciples suffered and all bar one of them died for proclaiming Jesus had risen. You would not die for something you knew was untrue. In fact the change in the disciples’ lives, from being terrified men to those who were willing to lay down their lives proclaiming Christ crucified is hard to explain if Jesus did not rise from the dead.

4. Jesus didn’t really die

Muslims claim that Jesus just pretended to die and then in the cool of the tomb was revived and then managed to roll the stone away, overpower the guard, and convince everyone he had risen! But the Romans were experts in putting people to do death. They were surprised Jesus had died as quickly as he did, and that’s why they thrust a spear in Jesus’ side, at which point blood and water flowed out, a sign that medics will tell you meant death had occurred.

Can you think of any other objection?

If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then Christianity would never have spread.

The fact that Jesus did rise physically from the dead means death is not the end, his sacrifice was effective, our sins have been paid for and there is a physical resurrection for all who trust in Jesus. What a joy this is especially for those who suffer with long term disability. It means that although we may have trouble now, it is light and momentary compared to the glory that will be revealed. Amen!