March 23

“The Reality and Relevance of the Resurrection”

I Corinthians 15:1-23

The resurrection of Jesus Christ and Christianity will rise or fall together.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest feat in the annals of human history!  The resurrection is the very capstone in the arch of Christianity – without it, all else crumbles.  The empty tomb of Jesus is the decisive victory granting the Christian a fullness of life!  Because Jesus Christ was not there then we can be assured He is here now!  (Heb. 13:5) 

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is much more than religious rhetoric, doctrinal dogma, a spiritual symbol, pious platitude, a lifeless legend, a fairy tale teaching faith, or a fictional story presenting a savior; rather, it is an indisputable historical fact!  Simon Greenleaf Law Professor at Harvard Law School and the author and founder of the Laws of Legal Evidence – used in our judicial and court system today.  He set out to disprove, disclaim, and discredit the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Greenleaf concluded, “the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact in history and not a hoax.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands up to all evidence that is honestly and intellectually scrutinized. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest attested event in the history of man.”  Simon Greenleaf came to faith and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior!

Using the acronym FEAT let us briefly look at the body of evidence in regards to the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ:

F: Fatal Torment Dr. Norman Geisler wrote in his book When Skeptics Ask  p. 120 “For the resurrection to have any significance, Jesus had to be dead first.”  The swoon theory states Jesus only passed out on the cross and was revived in the tomb later and escaped giving an impression he had been raised from the dead.  This is absurd and eclipsed of all reason and lacking in logic.  Jesus suffered horrifically and horribly and it began in the Garden where in Lk 22:44 it states, “his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”  His suffering would continue throughout the night without sleep, water, food as Jesus is brought before Anna and Caiaphas, Herod and Pontius Pilate where he is spat upon, hit and kicked and flogged until his organs were exposed and flesh hung from his body like ribbons.  Isaiah 52:14 describes it, “There were many who were appalled at him, his appearance was so disfigured, more than any other man, and his form marred beyond human likeness.”  Not only this the Romans had perfected the crucifixion for maximum pain and shock.  In fact the word “excruciating” literally “out of the cross” was invented to describe and define this horror.  (Jn. 19:31-37 & Mk. 15:44-45)  A spear is thrust into the side and heart of Jesus and the blood and water separate – a sure sign of death.  Jesus was indeed dead!

E: Empty Tomb  An elite guard of 16 Roman guards – 4 facing the east, 4 to the west, 4 to the south, and 4 to the north; trained from birth, given a special diet, the most ruthless and lethal in Rome’s military guarded the tomb.  The seal of Caesar sealed the tomb.  If anyone would break the seal it was punishable by immediate death.  There was a two tone boulder sealing the tomb.  One of the oldest manuscripts known has this note, “it would take 20 strong men to move the stone.”  Jesus himself is in a 140 pound body cast – according to the customs of body burial preparation and tradition.  The disciples did not steal the body of Jesus – its ridiculous to think such.  Let us not forget the disciples all except John, died horrible torturous deaths – for what? A lie, A fabrication, a con or a scam – I don’t think so! I’ve got news for John Cameron and Jacob Simchabovicci – the tomb of Jesus is not lost – my friend, it’s empty!

A: Appearances: Jesus appeared to over 500 eye witness after His death, burial, and resurrection. (I Cor. 15:6)  I believe in George Washington and that he was a general and our first president not because I have personally have seen him, talked with him, touched him but because of corroborating witnesses who did.  Jesus has provided over 500 corroborating witnesses who saw him, ate with him, touched him, talked and walked with him!

T: Transformation: The little band of disciples went from hiding in fear for their lives to preaching openly and boldly in public in a very, very short time!  Philosopher J.P. Moreland points out, “within a few weeks, at lest 10,000 Jews were willing to give up their very sociological and theological traditions that had given them their national identity!” (Acts 17:6) 

The relevance of the Resurrection:

The resurrection proves Jesus Christ is God (Rom. 1:4; Jn. 2:19 – 21)

The resurrection makes your salvation possible (Rom. 4:25; Rom 10:9; I Cor. 15:14, 17-18)

The resurrection makes our physical resurrection possible (rev. 1:8; Phil. 3:21; I JN 3:2; Rev. 21:4)

The resurrection refocuses on Jesus’ return! ( I Thess. 4:14, 16 – 18; JN. 14:3)