Evidence:
It was prophesied in advance, hundreds of years before and with great detail (as many aspects of Christ's life were!) Psalm 22:16-18, Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:7-11, Psalm 16:10
Jesus predicted his own death several times. Matthew 12:38-40, Mark 8:31, Mark 9:30-31, Mark 10:33-34, John 2:18-20
Jesus truly did die. Each element of what was done to him could have killed him. Scourging alone often lead to death. He likely collapsed under the weight of the cross he carried (many doctors believed a bruised heart lead to his death by heart attack or anneurism). A professional executioner declared him dead. A spear was thrust into his side - if he wasn't already dead, it would have killed him. His body was embalmed with about 75 lbs of linens and spices, which would have suffocated him if he did somehow evade the experts, and then he was in the tomb 3 days without medical attention, food or water. Jesus died. Mark 15:15; Mark 15:44-45, John 19:31-34, John 19:38-40
He was buried in a tomb that was easy to find (Joseph of Arimathea's - also prophesied in advance). The tomb was easy to locate as government, religious leaders, and friends knew, and soldiers were assigned to guard it. If he didn't die, or didn't rise, it would have been easy to verify. Isaiah 53:9, Mark 15:43, Matthew 27:59-61, Matthew 27:65-66, Mark 15:47, John 19:41
Jesus appeared physically alive 3 days later. He appeared to the disciples, people touched him, Mary clung to him, Thomas put his hand in the wound, he ate, and appeared to crowds as big as 500 at a time over 40 days. There is no credible historical evidence that presents an alternative. John 20:20, Matthew 28:9, John 20:14-17, John 20:27, Luke 24:41-43, Acts 1:1-3, 1 Cor 15:6
His body was the same as his pre-death body. He was recognized by friends and family by his looks and his voice. Someone else didn't take his place to start a conspiracy or lie. Luke 24:31, John 21:12, John 20:16
The resurrection was recorded as Scripture shortly after it occurred. Mark's gospel mentions the high priest without naming him - this implies that the audience would know who he was speaking of. Caiaphas reigned until 37AD, meaning this was a very early Gospel (Jesus died in 30AD). The accounts were penned while eyewitnesses were alive to verify or reject facts (all written by 70AD).
Resurrection was celebrated in the earliest church creeds. Circulation of the news began immediatly. Witnesses could be question and there wasn't a big enough gap between the events and writings for legends to be born.
The resurrection convinced Jesus' own family to worship him as God, something his brothers rejected until his resurrection. James and Jude became pastors. John 7:4-5, 1 Cor 15:7, James 1:1 Jude 1:1
The Resurrection was confirmed by his most bitter enemies. The government tried to cover it up, and Paul became a Christian after an encounter with Christ, after years of intense persecution. Secular historians also talk about this event. Matthew 28:11-13, Acts 8:1, Acts 9:1-6
The disciples lives were transformed. Prior to the resurrection they were timid and fearful. John 20:19, Mark 4:38-41, Mark 4:47-50, Mark 9:5-6, Mark 9:18, Mark 14:50, Mark 14:72 After the resurrection, they were transformed into bold witnesses, even to the point of dying for their convictions. Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:41, Acts 3:6, Acts 4:3-4, Acts 4:13, Acts 7:51, Acts 9-60, Acts 12:2 (I could keep going - read Acts!) Historical records show that all of the disciples were killed for their faith except John, who died naturally while in exile for his beliefs. I always find this difficult to read, but here is what happened to them: Peter was crucifed upside-down because he didn't feel worthy to die the same was as Christ in 64AD. Andrew was crucified in 70AD. Thomas was tortured and burned alive in 70AD. Philip was crucified in 64AD. Matthew was beheaded between 60-70AD. Bartholomew was flayed and then crucidfied in 70AD. James the lesser was pushed from the temple wall and then beaten to death in 63AD. Simon the Zealot was killed in Syria in 74AD. Judas Thaddeus was beaten to death in 72AD. Matthais was crucifed and stoned to death while on the cross in 70AD. Paul was beheaded by Nero in Rome in 67AD. It is unfathomable that all of these followers would die in such horrible ways if they were preaching lies and conspiracy, especially after the evidence we see of their lives and actions while Jesus was alive.
The disciples remained loyal to Jesus as Messiah. A failed leader is a forgotten leader. When people don't deliver on promises they are rejected. Jesus' death would have been a broken promise without resurrection. The disciples devotion grew. The entire book of Acts is evidence of this.
The disciples had exemplary character. They were devout Jews who knew the penalty for worshiping false gods (Paul especially, although he wasn't one of the 12). There is no credible evidence to challenge their characters, especially those of men who devoted their lives to caring for the poor, hungry, sick and widowed. Evidence is throughout the Gospels and Acts.
Worship changed. The early church stopped worshiping on Saturday as Jews had done for thousands of years, and moved to Sunday worship in honour of the Resurrection. By the end of the 1st Century, Sunday was called the Lord's Day. Jesus became the object of their worship. Acts 20:7, Revelation 1:10
Women discovered the empty tomb. Just as in many parts of the world today, the testimony of women was not respected or considered credible evidence. If this was a lie, using women as the primary witnesses would have made it significantly less credible. The women are mentioned by name so they could have been questioned. Mark 15:40
The entirety of early church preaching was centered on the resurrection. If this event wasn't widely accepted as fact, the disciples would have reasoned with skeptics. The debate wasn't whether it happened, but why. Acts 2:24; Acts 3:15; Acts 4:10, virtually all NT letters are also examples.
Jesus' tomb was not enshrined. In those days, it was customary for the tombs of holy men or prophets to be preserved as a shrine, because they believed that the bones imparted religious values to the site. No bones, no shrine. About 50 other figures had enshrined tombs in Palestine at the time of Jesus' death. There is no historical trace of a shrine at his tomb. Of the 4 major world religions, the others do the same for their leaders - Abraham's grave is cared for at Hebron, and thousands visit Buddha's and Mohammed's tombs each year. Not so with Christ.
Christianity exploded despite opposition, persecution, executions, and the faith being outlawed until Constantine legalized it over 350 years later.
And 2 more that we did not discuss that Pastor Stef covered on Easter Sunday...
The disciples were shocked and did not understand/believe what had happened immediately after the resurrection. If they were behind a lie, this would not have happened. Matthew 28:17, Mark 16:2-3, Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:11, Luke 24:37-39
We can still see lives changed. We can feel God's presence. Just as the disciple's lives were totally transformed, we can see Christ followers being transformed today.
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