“…why do you seek the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5). Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? What are the facts? Do you believe in His resurrection? The resurrection of Jesus is a fundamental proof of the gospel that he is the Christ, the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world. Yet some claim that He never really died, or that the disciples stole the body, or some other theory. So, what are the facts? Are there witnesses to these events? If so, what is their testimony? Did Jesus really die on the cross? How was His body buried? Was He really raised from the dead? Let’s examine!

The gospel claims that, after Jesus died, He came back to life again on the third day. The apostles and New Testament Christians repeatedly preached the claim. The resurrection is so fundamental to Jesus’ claims that the apostles and first-century Christians preached it to everyone who lacked faith or had doubts, to Jews or to idol worshipers. That’s the message we need to preach to lead people to faith and to strengthen believers. Highlights of the message of resurrection (kindly read all the below verses)

*The Christ, the Son of God – John 20:24-31; Romans 1:4

*Lord and Christ – Acts 2:32-36; 17:3; Romans 14:9; Ephesians 1:20-23

*One who forgives sins – Acts 13: 30-39; Romans 4:25; Luke 24:46, 47; 1Thessalonians 1:10 

*Judge of all mankind – Acts17:30, 31

1. EVENTS PRIOR TO JESUS DEATH

Old Testament Predictions of the Resurrection:

Isaiah 53: 7-10 – This passage is acknowledged to be a prediction of Christ (Acts 8:29-35). He would be led as a lamb to the slaughter (v7), cut off from the living (v8), made an offering for sin (v10), die, and be buried (v9). But then He would prolong His days and see His seed (v10).How could this be unless He came back to life? b) Jesus, Predictions of His Resurrection: Jesus Himself repeatedly predicted, not just His death, but also His resurrection.

Matthew 20:18, 19 He would be betrayed to the Jewish leaders but would be killed – by the Gentiles (Romans). They would scourge Him and crucify Him (a uniquely Roman execution), but He would rise again the third day. A general prediction of ones resurrection would be surprising, but such detail is amazing. And note that the disciples repeatedly did not understand or believe his predictions (Matt. 16:22; Mark 9:10; Luke 18:34; John 20:9). Why would they later make up false claims of resurrection, when they themselves had repeatedly opposed predictions of it? No pretender would make such predictions for himself, for he would know that three days after His death, everyone would know he wa fraud. If he made them and then kept his following after his death, this is substantial evidence that His claims may be true.

2. EVENTS SURROUNDING JESUS’ DEATH

Note that these events were recorded by people who were personal eyewitnesses(apostles Matthew and John see John 19:35; 21:24) or by people who, as historians, recorded what was personally told them by eyewitnesses (Luke and Mark -see Luke 1:1-4).

Evidence during Jesus’ Trials: Note the evidence during Jesus’ trials that He was innocent.

Matthew 27:3-5 – The one who betrayed Jesus acknowledged Him to be innocent. Jesus faced several trials before Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate repeatedly declared Jesus to be innocent, yet condemned Him to death because the Jews insisted – Luke 23:4, 14, 22. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, a king among the Jews; he also found no guilt in Jesus – Luke 23:15. b) The crucifixion: Jesus suffered the following physical abuse:

He was scourged. This was a beating with a whip of many leather thongs, often with embedded bits of metal or glass. People often died just from such beatings. (Matt.27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1)

He was nailed to the cross. Spikes were driven through His hands and feet, nailing him to the cross. Then the cross was lifted up, suspending him where he remained for at least six hours. (Matt 27:35-54; Mark 15:24-39; Luke 23:33-47; John 19:16-30).

He died. All the accounts specifically state that he died (i.e.., His spirit departed – Matt 27:50; Mark 15:37, 39; Luke 23:46; John 19:30, 33). Mark 15:44, 45 – Pilate asked the centurion who had crucified Jesus, and he confirmed Jesus was dead. His side was pierced with a spear. John 19:31-34 – Soldiers came to break his legs to hasten death, but they did not have to do so, since He was already dead. So they pierced His side with a spear. This also confirms that He died on the cross.

All this was personally witnessed by multitudes of people, both friends and enemies Luke 23:48, 49; John 19:35.

The claim that Jesus did not die but merely swooned contradicts the clear testimony of the witnesses that He did die. The centurion and soldiers were professionals at such executions, and they all testified that He was dead.

III. Events on the Third Day and Afterward

1. Testimony of Angels: Matthew 28:1-8 – When the women came to tomb, angels told them Jesus had been raised. (Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:4-7). Besides the testimony of people, we have this testimony of angels that Jesus arose from the dead. This was miraculous of itself.
2. The Empty Tomb: One of the most important facts to be explained is the empty tomb. What happened to the body? Mark 16:5-7- The women entered the tomb and saw where the body had been laid. (Luke 24:3; John 20:11-13).

If the guards were really asleep, how would they know what happened to the body? How did they know Jesus did not arise and walk out past them? Why should anyone accept the testimony of men regarding what happened while they slept? But all this testimony, including that of Jesus’ enemies, confirms that the tomb was empty! C. The appearances of Jesus

Acts: 1:3-Jesus presented himself alive by many infallible proofs for a period of forty days. His appearances are the most important evidence to consider. Consider the evidence. List of few appearance.

*Two disciples on the road to Emmaus Luke 24:13-35; Mark 16:12, 13 -They saw and – heard Him for a prolonged period. Again, the others did not believe them.

*Thomas with the apostles – John 20:24-29 He was sceptical till He saw, heard, and – touched Jesus, including the wounds.

*Saul of Tarsus Acts 9:1-9; 22:4-15; 26:9-18; I cor. 15:8, 9- He was an enemy and – persecutor. At noon on an open highway, a light brighter than the sun appeared. Jesus spoke and identified Himself to be Jesus. Saul saw and heard Jesus to qualify him to be a witness of what he had seen and heard (Acts-22:14, 15; 26:16).

We have examined the evidence to be considered. The only conclusion that fits the evidence is that Jesus really did arise from the dead. But each person must reach his own decision. To benefit from the resurrection, each person must: 1) hear message about Jesus and His resurrection – Acts 13:37-39. 2) Believe in Jesus and the resurrection (and confess) – (Romans 10:9, 10;Acts 2: 32-39). 3) Repent of sins Acts 2:32-39. 4) Be baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection – Romans 6:3-5;

This response will lead to the promised inheritance of eternal life based on Jesus’ resurrection – I Peter 1:3(1 cor.15:12-23).