However, what is often overlooked is that for Christians, this is not just a story, but a real-life historical event.
And while historians widely agree that Jesus lived and was crucified under Pontius Pilate, Christians believe that Jesus not only died, but also rose from the dead.
How can we be sure? Well, there are five key indicators that affirm the resurrection as a credible, historical event.
(1) The empty tomb. The first piece of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is the simple fact that no-one can show you the body of Jesus Christ. If Jesus’ body was still in the tomb, then this fact alone would have ended the Christian movement. In the face of growing claims that Jesus had risen, showing the body would have ended the myth immediately because it is hard to start a rumour like this when you can see Jesus’ dead body! Yet the tomb was empty, and has remained so to this day. Perhaps his body was stolen, you might argue? This brings us to our next piece of evidence.
(2) The disciples’ willingness to suffer for their profession that Jesus rose from the dead. Almost all of the disciples who claimed to see the risen Jesus faced severe persecution and death for their testimony. This makes it improbable that the disciples stole Jesus’ body and started the myth that he rose again because it would be implausible for them to suffer and die for something they all knew to be a lie. Dying for something that you know is a myth defies reason. Maybe this indicates the disciples and first witnesses were delusional. However, this leads to the third piece of evidence.
(3) The sheer number of eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus appeared to many people after his resurrection. The Gospels and letters of the New Testament record numerous appearances of Jesus to individuals and large groups. In these encounters Jesus was seen, heard, touched and even shared in a meal with his followers. In one account, over 500 people saw Jesus at once. To suggest that a group of 500 people collectively hallucinated stretches credibility — especially since hallucinations usually don’t eat and can’t be touched. In addition to this, there is the fourth piece of evidence.
(4) The unlikely credentials of the first witnesses. In the resurrection accounts, the very first people to see the risen Jesus were women. This detail is fascinating due to the fact that at the time of Christ’s death, women were not considered reliable witnesses in Jewish and Roman legal settings (thankfully, times have changed). This detail actually reinforces the authenticity of the resurrection accounts because if the resurrection was fabricated, making women the key witnesses would have undermined its legal credibility (at the time). This brings us to the last factor.
(5) The transformation of the disciples. The resurrection of Christ appears to be a transformative moment for the disciples. Before the resurrection, the disciples were weak and fearful, denying Jesus and abandoning him in his final hours. Even when they receive the news from the women that Jesus’ tomb was empty, they don’t believe them and are doubtful that he has risen again. Yet, after the resurrection, they became bold proclaimers of the Gospel, willing to face imprisonment and death. This personal transformation is difficult to explain — unless these men truly encountered the risen Christ.
Historians agree that Jesus is a historical figure, but to Christians the reality of the resurrection means that Jesus Christ is not just a figure of history, but the Risen Son of God.
Rev’d Jacob Kelly
St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Kyabram
