Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The resurrection of Jesus is part of the foundation of the gospel. Yet it is not a mere myth or legend. There is proof that the resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact. What is the proof that this event happened? We will discuss that in this lesson.
What Happened After Jesus’ Death
- He was buried (Matthew 27:57-60) – by Joseph of Arimathea in his own tomb; he was a member of the Council and a disciple (Mark 15:43); he did not consent to Jesus’ death (Luke 23:51); Nicodemus helped (John 19:39-40); His burial was a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 53:9)
- The women visited the tomb (Mark 16:1-6) – they saw the angels at the tomb (cf. Luke 24:4); the angels told the women to tell Jesus’ disciples (Mark 16:7); Jesus appeared to Mary Magladene (Mark 16:9-10)
- Peter and John went to the tomb (John 20:3-10) – they did not yet understand what happened (John 20:9); the disciples initially did not believe the women who came from the tomb (Mark 16:11; Luke 24:10-11)
- Jesus appeared to His disciples several times over a period of forty days (Acts 1:3) – afterward, He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9), with the promise that He would return (Acts 1:10-11)
The Significance of the Resurrection
- The resurrection proves that Jesus was the Son of God (Romans 1:4) – the Father already declared this while Jesus was on earth (Matthew 3:17; 17:5); Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (John 5:17-18); if it were not true, God would not have raised Him (cf. John 9:31)
- The resurrection proves that God will judge us (Acts 17:30-31) – Jesus was given authority to execute judgment (John 5:27); this will happen when He returns (John 3:17; Hebrews 9:27-28); we must all appear before His judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:10)
- The resurrection gives us hope beyond this life (1 Corinthians 15:20, 22) – this hope is available to those who obey the gospel (Romans 6:3-5) and are born again (1 Peter 1:3); Jesus defeated death to free us from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15)
Evidence for the Resurrection
- Eyewitness testimony (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) – hundreds of eyewitnesses who were able to be questioned; the apostles especially were chosen to be His witnesses (John 15:26-27; Acts 1:8, 22-23; 1 John 1:1-3); this makes it a historical fact; all history is based on verifiable eyewitness accounts
- The claims of Jesus’ enemies – they were afraid Jesus’ disciples would steal His body (Matthew 27:62-66); after the resurrection, they had to come up with a story to explain it (Matthew 28:11-15); this became the “official narrative,” but it had holes in it (How would the guards know who stole the body if they were asleep? … Why were none of the guards punished for their failure to keep the tomb secure?)
- The change in the apostles (John 20:19) – after Jesus’ death, they were afraid and hiding; forty days later, they were publicly and boldly preaching Jesus (Acts 1:3; 2:14-41); all suffered for their preaching, and most were killed; Jesus said this would happen (John 16:2); yet in the decades that followed, NONE of them disavowed or altered their testimony; they could not stop speaking (Acts 4:19-20; 5:27-33) and they rejoiced when they suffered (Acts 5:40-42)
- The continuation of the church (Acts 5:33-39) – Gamaliel advised the Counsel how to handle this situation; if this was not from God, it would fizzle out (history proved that with other movements); if it was from God, they could not stop it; His church continues (Matthew 16:18-19; Daniel 2:44-45)
Conclusion
- Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead to give us hope – there is proof that this event happened
- To take advantage of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we must become conformed to it (Romans 6:3-5)
