‘Christ Resurrected!’
The resurrection of Christ is an event of history in which the natural and the supernatural intersect. It was the miraculous conquering of death that forms the ultimate witness to Christ’s deity. Only God can overcome death, because he has life in himself. The resurrection sets Christ apart from all other religious leaders. Professor Childers wrote: “All the millions and millions of Jews, Budhists, and Mohammedans agree that their founders have never come up out of the dust of the earth in resurrection (Apologetics315).” Christ’s resurrection is a distinguishing and crucial Christian doctrine.
It’s important to understand that the resurrection of Jesus was not an afterthought intended to correct a miscalculation. Jesus predicted it - “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised (Matt.16:21).” Also see: Matt.17:9, 22-23; Mk.9:10; Jn.2:18-22.
What evidence do we have that the resurrection actually occurred? For this we need to go to the gospel narratives. The gospel record makes several startling statements indicating resurrection: the tomb was empty; the burial clothes were undisturbed, and the resurrected Christ was seen by his followers on ten separate occasions, as well as by 500 brethren at one time (1 Cor.15:3-8). This strong witness supports the conclusion that Christ did indeed conquer death and the grave! And those who believed were changed. The disciples who were fearful and timid became bold and fervent in their proclamation of the gospel. Even Jesus’ brothers who had thought he was insane became believers after his resurrection. Josephus, the Jewish historian, wrote this: “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as received the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him many Jews, and also many of the Greeks. This was the Christ. And when Pilate had condemned him to the cross,...those who had loved him from the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive on the third day…(Jewish Antiquities 18.3.3).” Josephus adds his witness to the witness of the gospels that Christ conquered death through resurrection.
These witnesses become the dramatic piece of evidence that declares Christ’s deity. He was God in human flesh worthy to be praised and served! The evidence supporting Christ’s resurrection provides a firm basis for our biblical faith; it’s reliable and true. And when responded to in true faith it results in salvation and a renewed life.