Did Jesus Arise From The Dead? Matthew 28:1-6

The Importance Of The Resurrection 1 Corinthians 6:14 as it brings the resurrection home to us – If Jesus is not raised, then this is an empty promise – Not only so, but God’s power is seen to be limited rather than unlimited The whole system of Christianity collapses without the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12-19)

The Big Picture Consider the major world religions (Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam) – Which one has a savior who died for the sins of others? (Lk. 2:11; 1 Peter 3:18) – Which one has a central leading figure rise from the dead? (Matt. 28:1-6) God has raised Jesus – Conquering death (Acts 2:22-24; Heb. 2:14-15) – Providing the ultimate proof of Sonship (Rom. 1:4)

How Some Have Dealt With The Resurrection Those who deny the resurrection are not the friends of God or man – Atheists and humanists are of note – Surprisingly, there are those claiming to be Christians who deny the resurrection In almost every case of denial there will be either a direct or implied claim that the tomb was not empty

What Alternatives Are Offered? The body was stolen by the disciples – A lie contrived by the council (Matt. 28:11-15) – What of the stone (Mk. 16:1-4)? – What of the wrappings and face-cloth (Jn. 20:6- 7)? – Were these disciples all willing to die for what they knew was a lie?

The body was stolen by His enemies – What would be the point? This would make it look like a resurrection – If they had the body, producing it would have stop Christianity in its tracks – The fact that they did not have it in their possession is evidenced in that “a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7)

Jesus escaped from the tomb – He had passed out, only to revive after rest in the cool tomb and, possibly, with the aid of the spices – Only one way out (Matt. 27:57-60) – He had suffered significant injuries prior to His crucifixion (Mk. 15:15) – The soldiers examined Him (Jn. 19:34)

– In this wounded and weakened condition we are expected to believe that Jesus: He freed Himself from the weight of the myrrh and aloes (Jn. 19:39) He unwrapped Himself (Lk. 23:53) He rolled back the stone from the entrance (Mk. 15:46) He fled undetected by the guards

They all went to the wrong tomb – Why wasn’t this pointed out on the spot? – The women observed the whole thing (Matt. 27:61; Lk. 23:55) It is a case of hallucination – It would be one of the biggest cases ever! – Hundreds over a period of forty days experienced it (1 Cor. 15:5-7) – Saul of Tarsus by some “delayed hallucination (1 Cor. 15:8) – Subterfuge. Still doesn’t explain the empty tomb

Evidence For The Resurrection The overwhelming number of eyewitnesses (1 Cor. 15:5-8) The transformation of the disciples – They were scattered and shattered at His death (Matt. 26:31) Yet, they were soon boldly standing for truth despite threats (Acts 1:1-8; 4:19-21; 5:29) – Saul of Tarsus A dangerous man (1 Tim. 1:13) Yet, he underwent a dramatic change (Acts 9:3-5; 18; 20)

Conclusion If God can raise Jesus from the dead: – He has the power to do many things (Acts 26:8) – He can forgive sins (Col. 2:12) – He can create a new man (Rom. 6:3-5) – He can raise us from the dead also (1 Cor. 6:14)