The Empty Tomb
Is it important?
Can we believe it's true?
Jesus Predicted His Death and Resurrection at Least Three Times
Mark 8:31 Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke openly about this.
Jesus Predicted His Death and Resurrection at Least Three Times
Mark 8:31 Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke openly about this.
If Jesus didn't die and rise again, what would this say about Jesus?
The resurrection proves:
Jesus was who He claimed to be
What He promises can be true for us
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, 11:26 and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
The resurrection proves:
Jesus was who He claimed to be
What He promises can be true for us
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, 11:26 and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
If Jesus didn't live again after He died, what would that say about us?
The Resurrection is Important.
But can we believe it?
Evidence the Resurrection of Jesus was Real
1. Eyewitness testimonies.
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I [Paul] passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 15:4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, 15:5 and that he appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. 15:6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 15:7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 15:8 Last of all...he appeared to me also.
Evidence the Resurrection of Jesus was Real
1. Eyewitness testimonies.
2. Unlikely witnesses: Disciples, Paul, James.
Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 16:22 So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him: “God forbid, Lord! This must not happen to you!”
Evidence the Resurrection of Jesus was Real
1. Eyewitness testimonies.
2. Unlikely witnesses: Disciples, Paul, James.
Acts 9:1 Meanwhile Saul [Paul], still breathing out threats to murder the Lord’s disciples, went to the high priest 9:2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, either men or women, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
Evidence the Resurrection of Jesus was Real
1. Eyewitness testimonies.
2. Unlikely witnesses: Disciples, Paul, James.
John 7:5 For not even his own brothers believed in him.
What could have changed these people like this?
Evidence the Resurrection of Jesus was Real
1. Eyewitness testimonies.
2. Unlikely witnesses: Disciples, Paul, James.
3. No motive to lie (and they knew this was either true or a lie).
Acts 5:27 When they had brought the disciples, they stood them before the council, and the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people. 30 The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you seized and killed by hanging him on a tree."
...5:40 and they summoned the apostles and had them beaten. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 41 So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. 42 And every day both in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus was the Christ.