"In John 11:25, we read that Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life." The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the doctrine of every disciple, the faith of every true believer, the courage of every martyr, the theme of every sermon, and the power of every evangelist.
Luke tells us in Acts 1:3, that we have "many convincing proofs" of His resurrection. Let us look at some of the "convincing proofs" according to eye witnesses:
01) After Jesus' resurrection He appeared first to Mary Magdalene.
(John 20:11-18)
02) He appeared to the women returning from the grave (Matthew 28:5-10)
03) Then He appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34)
04) Then to the disciples on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:P13-31)
05) To the apostles when Thomas was not present (John 20:24-29)
06) Again to the apostles, with Thomas present (John 20:24-29)
07) To the seven by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-23)
08) To over 500 brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6)
09) He was seen of James (1 Corinthians 15:7)
10) He was seen again by the eleven apostles (Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 1:3-12)
11) He was seen of Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 7:55j)
12) He was seen of Paul on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6 and 1 Corinthians15:8)
Many of these eye witnesses died martyrs' deaths because they preached the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were glad to die for a living Christ. They had the "convincing proofs."
When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, all of His disciples "left Him and fled." (Matthew 26:56) From this time until after His resurrection, the disciples lived in fear. They did not believe that He would rise from the dead. (John 20:9) Had Jesus not come from the dead, the cross would have been the end of Christianity. After the death of Jesus, we see His disciples dejected, discouraged, and defeated. The death of Jesus meant but one thing to them: the end. How do we account for the great change that came into their lives three days and three nights later? The only logical explanation is that they had the "convincing proofs." He had risen from the dead, and was alive forevermore. They saw Him, talked with Him, touched Him, and ate with Him.
Now look at some "convincing proofs" according to circumstantial evidence.
01) The change that came into the lives of the disciples after the resurrection - from fear to unlimited courage. They rejoiced in persecution (Acts 5:40-42). They chose death, with faith in the resurrected Christ, rather than to deny that faith and be released (Hebrews 11:35).
02) The early church began to worship on the first day of the week, the day of the resurrection. It was not a law - it was spontaneous (Acts 20:7) For almost 2,000 years, the church has worshiped on the first day. For the Christian, every Sunday is Easter.
03) The early Christians went everywhere with the word of the resurrection (Acts 8:1-4).
04) The empty tomb - for if Jesus is not alive, what happened to His body. The Roman guards were paid to say, "His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep." (Matthew 28:12, 13). First, the disciples lacked the courage. Had the disciples stolen His body, then how do you account for the fact that they all suffered, and most of them died martyrs' deaths? In the face of death, one of them would have revealed the hiding place of the "stolen body" to save his own life. Second, no one was ever arrested or tried for stealing the body of Jesus. It is evident that the governing officials did not believe the story of the guards. Third, the guards could have been put to death for sleeping while on watch. Fourth, if they were asleep, how could they have known that it was the disciples who "stole" the body? Fifth, had the enemies of Jesus moved the body, they could have produced it and brought a quick end to Christianity, and they would have!
05) The linen wrapping found in the empty tomb are proof of the resurrection (John 20:1-10). Had friend or foe stolen the body, they would not have removed the linen wrapping; since He had been dead three days and three nights. When John saw the linen wrapping and recognized that they were folded the same as when they were wrapped about the body, he know that a miracle had taken place. Jesus came out of the wrappings and they collapsed without disturbing the folds. They were left in the empty tomb as "convincing proof"; and when John saw and understood, he believed that Jesus had come from the dead."
I pray this blesses you, strengthens your faith, and encourages you.
(This is From : Bible Foundation Course Lesson 03- 06)
