The resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the heart of our Christian beliefs, but skeptics, like weeds, have always been thickly planted on the ground. Early on, the apostle Paul stated, "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?"(1 Corinthians 12:12). Many explain the absence of Christ's body by saying the disciples stole the corpse of Jesus and thereby created the grand hoax that is now believed by nearly one-third of all of the people on this planet today! Indeed, believers need not be swayed by the negativity of skeptics (there will always be room for doubt) because there is compelling evidence within the scriptures that strongly attests to the literal resurrection of Jesus.
The evidence most often cited is found in the record of Christ's appearances after his death. But, a critic could suggest that the gospel writer simply invented the appearances to shore up a Jesus myth. Another point made in favor of the resurrection is that Jesus stated that in three days He would rise from the dead and did as He predicted (see John 2:19-22). However, in my opinion, the most compelling evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is found in the behavior of His disciples and followers after the crucifixation. Something very dramatic and seemingly unexplainable happened to those people that made them turn 180 degrees and reverse their course. That "something" is very evident in their behavior after the death of Jesus. Consider the following points:
* In John 19:38-40 we read of the account of His friends preparing the body for burial. This included winding the body in linen cloth and packing it with about 100 pounds of sweet smelling spices to hide the stench of decay. "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight." Question: "Why would he do this if he thought Jesus was going to arise in a day or two? Obviously, he thought Jesus was, so to speak, dead and gone.
* In Luke 23:55,56 we read again of burial arrangements, but this time the women also go home to prepare spices and ointments to embalm the body. "And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them." (Luke 23:55,56) In this case, these followers are planning to prepare a corpse for burial. There's no indication they expected a literal resurrection anytime soon.
* In Mark 16:10,11 we read of the disciples mourning and weeping. "And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not." Again, this is not behavior one would expect from people anticipating the Lord to soon arise from the dead.
* In John 20:19 we read that it is evening and the disciples are hiding behind locked doors for fear the Jews would target them next. Cowering in fear is not the way someone would act if they were anticipating the bodily resurrection of their leader in a day or two.
Then something happened! Cowards got courage! In Acts 2 is a long speech by a very bold disciple named Peter. He is no longer a man afraid for his life, instead he is portrayed more like a modern-day street corner preacher shouting to all who will listen. He states in verse 32, "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses." Again, the in Acts 3:12-26, Peter speaks boldly with conviction ending in verse 26 with, "Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you..."
Then matters went from bad to worse. The high priest had the apostles jailed to silence their testimony, but an angel opened the prison doors and the word spread like wildfire. Frustrated, the high priest proclaimed "ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine" (see Acts 5:17-42). To which Peter and the other apostles answered, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, who ye slew and hanged on a tree" (Acts 5:30). Following this, the religious leaders decided to kill the apostles and bring an end to the matter. However, Gamaliel, a doctor of Jewish law wisely offered the advice that echoes down to our day. He said, "But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God" (Acts 5:39). Today, the message of hope from the empty tomb is heard around the world, "He is risen!" May the Lord richly bless you, your family and loved ones during this Easter season.

Blessings in your study of God's Word!

Marvin Hunt

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