“Why do you believe Jesus physically rose from the dead?”
It was a simple question from a sincere young man. Like many from his generation, Bill questions what he’s been taught. He accepts that Jesus was a real, historical figure, but wonders if the rest is true.
I was glad for the question. Too many people live with spiritual insecurities that undermine their faith. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then he was just a good man. We can appreciate him, but there’s no reason to obey him. If Jesus did in fact rise, then his teachings take on a different kind of weight.
The evidence of the resurrection falls into two categories: the credibility of the witnesses and the assumptions of the first critics of the resurrection.
The Apostle Paul wrote about the resurrection within 25 years of the event. His letter to the Church in Corinth identifies key witnesses like the Apostle Peter, James, the brother of Jesus, and some 500 unnamed witnesses. They’re unknown to us, but they were knowable to the people in Corinth. Paul didn’t expect his friends to take his word for it when it came to something as important as the resurrection. The witnesses were numerous, knowable and people of good reputation.
They were also consistent in their report. In spite of severe persecution, none of the witnesses changed their testimony. They chose instead to affirm their faith in Jesus and died in very painful ways. They believed that the Jesus who rose from the dead could also raise them (Romans 6:5).
Some people question a “Christian” account of the events. They figure that later church leaders had opportunity to edit the story to fit their need. This isn’t as easy as some would like to think, but I understand their reservation. That’s why I find the earliest objections to the resurrection so interesting.
Matthew 28 records the rumor that the disciples stole the body and faked the resurrection. Another account claims that the gardener disposed of Jesus’ body because he didn’t want the crowds to trample his vegetables. The assumption in both of these counter-claims is that the body was missing. One would expect that those who opposed the resurrection would have provided evidence against it. The best the critics could come up with was a plausible alternative for those who didn’t want to believe.
The resurrection of Jesus was thoroughly documented. The Early church leaders (the witnesses) believed so strongly in the resurrection, they suffered and died for their belief. The critics tried to shape the story, but they didn’t deny that something unusual happened with Jesus. In short, there is good evidence for the resurrection but belief will always require a leap of faith.
As a pastor, my concern is for those who claim to “believe” in Jesus, but who act as if he did not rise, who act as if Jesus is only a gifted teacher that we can follow as we will. The Apostle Paul said, “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Resurrection is the defining issue for Christianity. If Jesus did not rise then the witnesses are liars. We cannot trust anything they said about Jesus. If Jesus did rise, then those who want to rise with him – those who long for eternal life – must be careful to follow him. To paraphrase the Apostle Peter, “No one else has the words of life.”
As we celebrate Easter this weekend, I simply ask, “Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead?” If your answer is, “I don’t know,” I urge you to make your own investigation. If you say yes, then let his words and example shape your life so that you, too, can rise with him.
Eric Johnson is pastor at Chattanooga First Church of the Nazarene.