Did the Resurrection Really Happen?

Without the resurrection, our traditions are meaningless.

Did the resurrection of Jesus actually happen? This is not only an interesting question, but it is the question above all questions. After all, if Jesus did not resurrect from the dead, then all that we do is meaningless.

The apostle Paul dealt with this question, too, so it is not a new question. Here is what Paul says.

1 Corinthians 15:12-14,16-19

"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith ... For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If oy for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied."

Paul wrote this to a group of Christians who had heard it taught that Jesus had not been raised from the dead. This is an ancient controversy, and it is a great question to struggle with as we wait for the season of Lent and Easter.

Here are a few ways it shows up today.

Islam

In the Koran it is written that Jesus was not crucified nor killed. Instead, the Koran states that it only appeared that Jesus died, and Allah actually took Jesus to heaven while he was alive. In Surah 4:157-158 it is stated that "it was made to appear to them" that Jesus was crucified and died.

If Islam is a lie and Christianity is true, why do you think this specific lie was crafted?

Judaism

Judaism does not recognize Jesus' resurrection, either. In Judaism, it is generally believed that Jesus died as a human without being raised to life. Judaism also does not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

If Jesus is the Messiah, why do you think Judaism rejects this?

Eastern Religion

Islam is grouped in the broad category of Eastern Religion, which also includes Hinduism and Buddhism. None of these beliefs generally accept that Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised to life. They do typically accept that Jesus was a teacher or a prophet. They either teach that Jesus was reincarnated or was taken to heaven (as Islam teaches, by Allah).

Further, in some cultural contexts, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is seen as a construct of a Christian-centered culture, and not a matter of historical fact.

So, we are left with several teachings on the matter, and we are right back where we started: did the resurrection of Jesus actually happen?

At the end of the day, our faith must allow for our belief. After all, we were not there and we did not witness the event.

But many others were there and either witnessed it or heard it from reliable sources. We have biblical evidence. There is also what is called "extra-biblical" evidence, meaning evidence that exists outside of the 66 books we know as the bible. Some of this is from historians of the time who actually did not follow Jesus and his teachings, but who agree that certain things happened that could not logically be explained away. These sources include the writings of Tacticus, Josephus, and Pliny the Younger.

Here is one important fact to keep in mind, too. Jesus was crucified because of efforts to shut him and his followers down. The soldiers had orders to seal and guard Jesus' grave, which opposes Islamic claims he never died.

Matthew 27:62-66

"The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard."

There were the accounts of the women who found the empty grave.

Luke 24:1-3

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus."

The guards had to admit to their commanding officers that the tomb was empty.

Matthew 28:11-15

"While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day."

Then, there are all the eyewitnesses.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

"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."

Insisting that Jesus was raised to life when he did not would have led to needless persecution and perhaps death. Why would so many people lie?

Why is the resurrection of Jesus as historical fact important?

Paul answers it this way.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2

"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain."

But let's entertain another question for a brief moment. If the resurrection of Jesus is true, then why would the enemy of Jesus put out lie after lie in attempts to tear down this claim and fact?

Jesus answers it this way.

John 14:6

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

This is an exclusive statement.

Struggling with the answer to this question and what we believe about it is the most important struggle of our life, because it is the difference between life and death.

Sadly, lies, poor teaching, rebellion against Jesus, and the desire to want an easy path all lead to spiritual apathy or spiritual blindness.

What do you believe?

As we enter the season of Lent (beginning Feb. 18) and move toward Easter, we will look at this question in more depth. We could love for you to join us in worship on Sundays at 10:59 am or reach out via email or our Facebook page if you have questions!