The Resurrection 
Matthew 28:1-20 (Pastor Brian)

The resurrection is the lynchpin - the ONE thing that holds all of Christianity together.

In 1 Cor 15, Paul even says, “If Christ has NOT been raised, then your faith is Worthless - futile - meaningless.”

Jesus’ resurrection was the vindication of his life and ministry.

1 Cor 15:20 “But now Christ HAS been raised from the dead. The first fruits of those who are asleep.” The resurrection at the end of the age.

Because of the importance of the belief of the resurrection of Jesus as a HISTORICAL event - 2000 approximate years ago.

The calendar is divided by Christ (A.D. = Ado Domini = “The Year of our Lord”)

Based on its importance as Christian doctrine, skeptics and unbelievers have attacked it. Even some “Christians” have “watered it down” so much that it’s lost much of its power.

The “Jesus Seminars” asked everyone to change the gospels to fit their own opinions and speculations.
For example: Was Jesus really placed in a tomb?
Historically, when criminals were crucified, they were left to rot on the cross or thrown into a mass grave.
John Dominic Crossland said, “Jesus body was probably dug up and eaten by dogs.”

What do the eyewitnesses say?
The body of Jesus was turned over to Joseph of Arimethea - a member of the council who decided to kill Jesus based on blasphemy.

Mark’s gospel says, “the entire Sanhedrin voted to kill Jesus.” (chp 14).

Luke says, “Behold, a man named Joseph had not consented to this plan.” He was waiting for the kingdom of God.

Witnesses say the body was turned over to Joseph.

Other evidence?
1 Cor 15:3-7 is not just something of Paul’s opinion, but something he received as a new Christian - an early Christian creed (an article of belief). “For what I received, I passed on to you, as of first importance. That Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures. That he was buried. That he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. And that he appeared to...up to 500 people at once.”

This creed is a summary that corresponds line-by-line to the gospel accounts. 

Joseph of Arimethea is mentioned in ALL the gospels. 

Mark is the first gospel written (probably about 30 years later or sooner). There was not much time for “historic legend” to sprout up.

Joseph was a member of the council that condemned Jesus to death. Imagine how the disciples would feel about that. Would they have chosen him to honor Jesus in his death? Despite any embarrassment, it was Joseph, a follower of Jesus, who took care of Jesus after his death.

The care of Jesus’ body is one of the earliest, and BEST attested FACTS of Jesus’ death and burial.

Some people (Jehovah’s Witnesses for example) believe that Jesus’ resurrection was spiritual - NOT bodily.

The Jews concept of resurrection was PHYSICAL. The primary object of the person was the BONES - not even the flesh. After the flesh rotted away, the Jews would gather bones to be preserved in a box until the end of the world when God would resurrection everyone. It’s unthinkable to think that they thought it would be spiritual resurrection.

Joseph (in Egypt) made his family swear that they would carry his bones with them out of Egypt after he died (Genesis 50:20-)

Hebrews 7 - the heroes of faith. THIS statement put him in that gallery of the heroes of faith. Joseph was a HUGE deal in Egypt, but this statement was a statement of faith that the situation would change. Eventually, a Pharaoh arose that persecuted them, and eventually, Moses got the Israelites out and he carried Joseph’s bones out as promised. Joshua eventually led the Israelites into the Promised Land, and Joseph’s bones were eventually buried in Shechem.

Here we can see the importance of the attachment to bones the Jews had. They REALLY believed that the BONES would be resurrected at the end of time.

#2: The Security of the Tomb
How secure was it? The tighter the security, the less likely it would be tampered with.

Historically, there would be a slanted groove (at an angle) and a large stone would be rolled down the groove with a small stone in place to hold the boulder. This boulder must weigh several hundred kilograms and would be difficult to roll back up without help. Also, the tomb would likely have had a rope attached between the boulder and the wall. It would have to be cut.

Also, there were guards (but only Matthew records it). Consider the claims and counter-claims between Jews and Jesus.
Christians = “Jesus is risen!” Jews = “You stole it!” Christians = “There were guards.”
Jews = “They fell asleep.”
Christians = “You bribed them to say that.”

IF no guards...
Christians = “Jesus is risen!” Jews = “You stole it!” Christians = “There were guards.”
Jews = “What guards??! You’re crazy!”

SO, there is STRONG evidence to show there really WERE guards.

#3: The Jews seemed to believe MORE than the Christians that Jesus WOULD rise again as he’d said. Look at the precautions they took.
“Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, ‘After 3 days, I’ll rise again.’ (Matt 16:21)”

This was around the time that Jesus started prophesying his sufferings, and death, and resurrection - from that time on, he began to show what must happen to him. Peter rebuked him - Jesus rebuked him back. Jesus knew what he must do, Peter didn’t.

So, here he spoke on his resurrection. Word got around to the Jews - they believed it! That’s why they wanted to station a guard there. So, Pilate gave them a guard (in the Greek, the word used refers to Romans). And Romans came to arrest Jesus in the first place.

There are other objections, but ALL can be justified and accounted for.

There are differences in the Easter morning writings. It’s dark, or it’s light? 5am, is it light or dark? Well, I say it’s light, but you (might be sleepy) say it’s still dark.

There might be plagarism. Someone stole someone else’s work for their writing. But, no historian would care about secondary details if the heart of the story is the same. 

For example, Alexander’s campaign across the Alps has two separate accounts, but no one ever doubts that it actually happened.

Another: 
What about the women? Their testimonies? Some priests thought “Let the word of the Law be BURNED rather than given to women.” They weren’t allowed to testify in court even. 
 Now, if this was a “legend” - it would’ve been the MEN who “found” the empty tomb. But, the gospel writers were willing to be embarrassed by this fact and ridiculed, in order to tell the TRUTH. 

This have all been debated, but have all stood the test of time - up to now.

Psalm 16 “God would not allow his holy one to undergo decay” This was written by David. David died, and his tomb is here today. But Jesus died, and his body is NOT here today. This was from Peter - who had DENIED Jesus, had wept bitterly, had given up on everything - and now he’s back preaching with power.

“When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down, laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and was seen by MANY people over the weeks.” - this was Paul - who’d once persecuted Christians.

We’ve even heard a testimony this morning about what Jesus can do for us, save us from sin.

William Lane Craig is probably the most prominent speaker about the resurrection - but he came from a non-Christian family. He went, he wasn’t impressed - they didn’t really believe, didn’t really “act” like Christians - he became cynical and bitter. But at school there was a girl named Sandy who was always so joyful and happy (made him sick). “Why are you always so happy?” “I’m saved!” “Huh?” “God loves me, and loves you too.” It hit him like a pile of bricks. He realized the truth, and went out and became a Christian, and dedicated his life to proclaim it. He proclaims the HISTORICAL aspects of the resurrection.

There are two kinds of people:
1. Those that hear and believe and have experiential faith that they are changed.
2. Those that study the historical reality of the resurrection and believe.

We need BOTH. (Seriously the historical REALITY is pretty amazing. Research it.)

Let’s pray.