READ MATTHEW 27-28
In the 2001 movie, “The Body,” archeologists in Jerusalem claimed they had discovered the remains of Jesus of Nazareth. The skeleton matched all the requirements of a crucified Christ. A priest in the movie was so distraught he committed suicide because his faith was shattered. As the plot unfolded, however, it was disclosed that it wasn’t the body of Jesus after all but another crucified victim.
If it were proven that Jesus did not come back bodily from the grave would you still call yourself a Christian or would you be overwhelmed with despair? After all, Jesus’ insightful teaching would still be helpful and His loving example would still be a valuable guide for living…wouldn’t it?
If the crucified remains of Jesus were discovered would your faith be destroyed? Mine would; because the Christian faith is founded on the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. Jesus didn’t claim just to be a good teacher; He claimed to be THE truth. He didn’t claim to be a good role model; He claimed to be God in the flesh. He didn’t just promise life after death; He pledged to demonstrate it. Even his enemies were aware that He predicted that He would die and come back to life after three days.
“…the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise again.” So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead…”’ (Matthew 27:62-64).
If Jesus didn’t come back from the grave then He wasn’t the Son of God, He was a liar and a charlatan. If Jesus didn’t come back from the grave, we have no hope of life after death and suicide would be a reasonable alternative when we face desperate circumstances.
That’s why the angel’s triumphant words at the empty tomb are so important, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:5-6).
That’s why the women who heard the angel’s words were ecstatic. “So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him” (Matthew 28:8-9).
That’s why the disciples were transformed from cowards who fled for fear when Jesus was arrested to courageous evangelists who were willing to be imprisoned, tortured, and even executed for their faith. Peter insisted, “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this” (Acts 3:15).
That’s why we need not fear someone disproving the resurrection. Our faith isn’t wishful thinking; it’s based on historical reality. There was an actual empty tomb. Jesus was literally raised from the dead. There were seventeen recorded appearances to over 500 real people who were willing to die for the conviction that their Lord was alive. Jesus alone is worthy of our trust because He is the only one who has ever conquered the grave!
That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote, “…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:17-22).
** If you are enjoying this study through the book of Matthew with Bob Russell, be sure to check out Bob’s “Falling In Love With Jesus Again” Bible Study DVD and resources for your small group or church.
