What the Word is Saying
Historically the resurrection is a fact. Let me explain why. History can only be proven by what is most probably to have occurred. While some insist the record cannot prove that those who wrote the gospels are in fact those whose names are the title of the books; this is a fallacy. First of all, it was quite common in that time period for someone to write for another person. Especially someone without the training or knowledge of reading and writing in the case of Peter (who Mark’s gospel is based upon) and John (who like Peter was a fisherman and may have been illiterate). Of course, this assumes that someone who has been gifted the Power of the Holy Ghost to speak in other languages would not also be gifted with the ability to write and read it, but I digress.
Matthew, who was a tax collector and Luke, who was a physician would presumably be educated and not fall into the category of the fisherman mentioned above. As a quick outline I aim to prove the truth through the historical evidence that we have. In order to do this, I will examine the accounts and motivations for the five eyewitness accounts that we have In Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul. Secondly, I hope to prove that it is in fact the resurrection that is the most probable result of that record and therefore historical fact.
I first would like to point out the significance of point of view when it comes to events that occur. Each witness sees and remembers specific information about what happened. Think of four people standing in a circle surrounding a motor vehicle accident. Each one observes the monument but from a different viewpoint. The person standing behind the monument will see the back of it and the background will be invisible to the one standing in front of it and vice-versa. In the same way the persons on the right and left will have different perspectives than the front and back and from each other. Each is a witness to the event that occurred, but each has a different perspective on what happened. They will have common information such as the vehicle crash itself, but the fact that each will have different accounts from there point of view lend validation to the authenticity of their account. If they had all the same information, it would lead the investigator to believe there was collusion because there should be differences. It is the same with the accounts of the gospels and life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew the tax collector who was a disciple of Jesus and spent three years observing and documenting what occurred in during the life and Jesus’ subsequent death and resurrection. Although there is shared evidence between the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and Mark each account is different from the others. Matthew in particular has information that scholars have labeled as “M” this is information unique to His account. Presumably this is information that Matthew wrote down during his time with Jesus and inserted it into His account of what happened. For instance, Matthew tells us that the Pharisees went to Pilate to Pilate to ensure a guard was placed on the tomb to guard it lest the disciples steal the body away (27: 62-66) There are similarities with different viewpoints such as in the ending of Matthew the Great Commission is given to the disciples telling them to go into all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
The Gospel of Mark is widely considered to be first written gospel. This is because the information contained in Mark is shared with Matthew and Luke. Though there may be different wording or during different timeframes the information is closely related in such a manner as to cause scholars to believe that they must be based upon one another. Now this is not a shock because presumably the disciples gathered together and talked about Jesus after He ascended reminding each other of the events that occurred. There is information specific to Mark not found in the other accounts such as verse 16:14 where Jesus admonishes the disciples for not believing the accounts of others who had seen Jesus after His resurrection. The similarities are many but to return to the ascension of Jesus highlighted by Matthew’s account above. Marks account states that Jesus told them to go into all the world preaching the gospel and that Jesus then ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God.
Luke’s version is a combination of all the information that he compiled in his investigation into what occurred. His sources were Matthew, Mark, and also some material specific to his account. Though Marks account mentions the two walking into the country (16:12-13). Luke gives us dialogue and background of what Jesus and the two men talked about on their way to Emmaus. Specifically, it accounts how Jesus broke the bread for them and then they recognized Him before He vanished from their sight (Luke 24: 13-35). Returning to the Ascension mentioned above in Matthew and Marks account Luke’s gospel account tells it this way. He opened their minds to the scriptures so that they could see that the Christ must suffer, die, and rise on the third day before ascending to heaven from Bethany.
John’s account of the gospel is quite different from the others and is presumed to be written last. John has many things specific to his account. For instance, in John 20: 24-49 Jesus appears to the twelve and Thomas refuses to believe until he can put his fingers in the holes of Jesus’ hands and side. Then Thomas believes and Jesus says blessed are those who do not see but believe. Lastly, John’s account does not mention the ascension except to say that Jesus performed many signs that are not written in his book. But what is written is done so that we can “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name (NASB).”
Finally, Paul’s account of the resurrection of Jesus is unique to him alone.
“For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
We are not given a description of the appearance to Paul, however, Acts 9: 1-19 tells of Jesus’ voice talking to Paul on the road to Damascus.
Now let’s consider the motivation they had for telling their account of the resurrection of Jesus. First of all, they did it with the very real threat of death for believing. Most of them in fact did die for their faith. If Jesus did not do what He did what is the reason for them to continue to testify to it even in the face of death? Likewise, Paul was a self-confessed persecutor of the Church. He was given authority to go out and put to death the followers of the “way.” As the early church was known as. Yet in the midst of this He suddenly makes an about face. He ceases to persecute the church and then turns into one of its biggest defenders. He also was put to death for his faith. Unless the resurrection is real there is no reason to do all this. Furthermore, the length of time between when the written versions of these accounts and when the events occurred are not limiting the reality of their truth. An event of this significance is not forgotten by the witnesses. One need only ask a soldier to relay their story of storming the beaches of Normandy to return the person to the scene of the event. Although, they may not remember the specifics of what occurred nearly 80 years later they can tell what happened. These disciples and writers witnessed the death and resurrection of the Messiah. That is not forgotten, just as the soldier does not forget the bullets whizzing by their heads as they storm the battlefield. To assert that they would forget or invent such a thing with similarities from different persons is to deny the truth in the matter.
Therefore, given the fact that we have 5 different accounts of the resurrection. All given by those willing to die for their faith. Similar in wording and content. But, different enough to show a separate point of view for each. The overwhelming evidence shows that the most probable explanation for the resurrection is that it in fact occurred as is testified to in the Word of God. To say any different is to deny the facts that we have in existence. Finally, for those of you that would say that a miracle is the least likely outcome for a Human in regard to Historical evidence. Lazarus was raised from the dead in John 11 (Might I point out this is part of the p75 manuscript dating back to the first century). The widow of Zarephath’s son was raised from the dead by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-24). Elisha raised the son of a wealthy couple in Shunem (2 Kings 4: 18-37). Elisha’s dead bones touched the bones of an Israelite man, and the Man came back to life (2 Kings 13: 20-21). The widow of Nain’s son was raised from the dead by Jesus in Luke 7: 11-17. Jairus’ daughter was healed by Jesus in Capernaum (Luke 8:49-56). Lastly, when Jesus died on the Cross many saints who were buried rose from the grave and appeared to many in the city (Matt. 27: 50-54). Although historically the occurrence of resurrection was minute in the record. It was different for Jesus because He is divine and because of His divinity He is able to do what a normal Human cannot do. What is uncommon for everyone else is very common for Him.
If you have not received Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I implore you to do so now. All He asks for is for you to accept the free gift He gave you. Therefore, humble yourself and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord of all. He alone is all powerful and you submit to His authority. Next you must believe He did what He did. That is; die on a cross and rise again from the dead. These are both actions of faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for with evidence not seen. Meaning you believe even though you don’t have physical evidence to prove it. I know you made it to this page for a reason and the Holy Spirit is working on your heart. The Father has drawn you and He alone can reveal to you the truth of what I am saying. I know that He is now, and you need to take a step of faith and pray these words with me.
Right where you are; say these words out loud: “Jesus I confess that you are Lord of all, I yield my will to your will for you are greater than me. I believe you came to this world and lived a sinless life; I believe you suffered and died on cross for my sins, I believe they put your lifeless body in a tomb, and three days later you rose from the dead. I confess to you that I am a sinner and ask you to forgive me. I also ask that you send me your Holy Spirit to give me power to live a sanctified life and to lead me into all truth. In Jesus name, Amen.”
If you prayed that prayer, I urge you to contact us here so that we might come beside you and hold you up in prayer as you begin your journey with Jesus. I assure you that we have all been where you are. We may have committed different sins, but we are just as guilty, nonetheless. We all needed forgiveness and someone else supported us as we began our Journey with Him.
Thank you for joining me today as we searched the scriptures for What the Word is Saying. I pray that God will send His Holy Spirit into our lives anew and fill us again with His love and His purpose for us. So that we can fulfill the mission He left us in bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” lockman.org.
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