Part 6: Jesus rose from the dead

So, over this week we have explored whether Jesus actually died, and focused on the four main theories as to what happened to Jesus body.  Today we are going to look at whether it is true.  Did Jesus actually rise from the dead?

According to Bible, there were many witnesses who saw Jesus rise from the dead.  Here is what the Apostle Paul says in the Bible:

‘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 Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.’

The Bible – 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 3-8 (New International Version)

Part 5: Jesus’ friends lied about Him being alive

Some people have said, ‘Well, maybe Jesus friends’ lied about Him being alive.’  Let’s take a look at what the Bible tells us about Jesus’ friends.

Jesus’ closest friends – His disciples – had spent three years getting to know Jesus more and more; they had seen the amazing things Jesus had done.  They truly believed He was the promised Saviour of the world, and then … they watched Him died the most horrific death on a cross.

I wonder how you might have felt if you were in their shoes?

Understandably they were frightened.  In John chapter 20 we see that they had locked themselves in a room; BUT then everything changed. Verses 19-20 say:

Part 4: The Authorities stole Jesus’ body

Today we are going to consider whether the Jewish authorities stole Jesus’ body. 

The Jewish authorities were the ones who got Jesus arrested in the first place.  He was a threat to their power, challenged their beliefs and caused trouble for them.  They were very keen to get him out of the picture. 

Maybe they could have stolen the body?  Maybe they thought a garden tomb was too nice a setting for Jesus to be buried?  But more likely they did not want to have a place where Jesus’ followers could make a pilgrimage to, and be a constant reminder of his teachings and rebellion against their authorities.  By taking the body, the whole ‘Jesus craze’ may die down and disappear out of people’s minds.

Part 3: Thieves stole Jesus’ body

Today, we’re considering ‘the stolen body theory’.  Was the empty tomb a result of thieves stealing the body of Jesus?

What we already know is that the Roman soldiers, who had put Jesus to death using their own torturous methods were now being paid to protect the tomb.  As such, they were on guard constantly and the entrance to the tomb had been sealed with a large and heavy stone.

In Matthew’s gospel, chapter 27 verses 62–66, we read how the Chief Priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate to request that the tomb in which the body had been placed, was made secure for three days and how Pilate granted their request: