I. NOT THE END!	VI. COMA THEORY
II. IS IT BELIEVABLE?	VII. THEFT THEORY
III. WRONG TOMB THEORY	VIII. YOUR CONCLUSION
IV. BODY-WAS-MOVED THEORY	BACK TO LESSON 3
V. HALLUCINATION THEORY	AHEAD TO LESSON 5

I. NOT THE END!

The story of Jesus does not end in a tomb. You can pay homage to the remains of Mohammed and Buddha and countless other religious teachers, but the tomb of Jesus Christ is empty. Death could not hold Him.

Prophecy

Psalm 16:10, 11 You [God] will not abandon me [Christ] to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (1000 B. C.)

Isaiah 25:7, 8 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces. (700 B.C.)

Isaiah 53:11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. (700 B.C.)

Fulfillment

Matthew 28:1-9 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the wek, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was cricified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

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 worshipped Him.

Luke 24:36-43 While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.

He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds" Look at my hands and my feet. It is I Myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

When He had said this, he showed them His hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, He asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave Him a piece of boiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Acts 2:22-24, 32 [Peter said,] Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.... God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.

Romans 1:4 . . . who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ the Lord.

Jesus Christ rose from the dead just as David and Isaiah had prophesied. The various appearances of the risen Savior are found in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21, and Acts l:3-11; 9:1-19, and Revelation 1:9-20.

In addition, 1 Corinthians 15 contains a detailed discussion of the resurrection. It will certainly be worth your while to read these chapters, for they relate the details of the greatest event of all history.

Because of this event Easter Sunday should be the biggest holiday of the entire year. Christ triumphed over death! He has returned the victor and shares His victory of life with all who confess His name from the heart.

II. IS THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST BELIEVABLE?

John 20:24-28 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Acts 1:3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

The Apostle Thomas reacted like many modern men, doubting that Christ had risen from the death. But before long, he also had to admit the truth of this unparalleled event. Knowing that the disciples would need ample evidence of His resurrection, Jesus appeared to them many times, proving to them again and again that He was really alive.

Those who reject the resurrection do so in spite of the eyewitness evidence that is found in the Holy Scriptures. There is as much historical evidence for the resurrection for Christ as there is for any other event in history. No one doubts that the Roman Empire fell in the 4th century A.D., or that the Incas had a great civilization before Pizarro. And these events have the same amount of historical evidence as the resurrection of Jesus.

Down through the years people have proposed several theories to explain away the resurrection of Christ. Let us consider them one by one.

III. THE WRONG TOMB THEORY.

This is the idea that the women went to the wrong tomb on the Sunday morning after Jesus died. Finding the tomb empty, they assumed that Jesus had risen.

John 19:41-42 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Luke 23:55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.

Jesus was not buried in a cemetery filled with many graves. It was a garden near Calvary that happened to have a tomb in it. Furthermore, the women knew exactly where the body had been placed as Luke 23:55 indicates. Even on the improbable occurrence that they might have gone to the wrong tomb, they would quickly have been shown their error by the Roman soldiers who guarded the right tomb, by the Jewish authorities, or by Joseph of Arimathea, the owner of the tomb. The rumors of Christ's resurrection would have been immediately silenced by the simple act of going to the right tomb and finding the body.

The historical fact is that the women went to the correct grave, and it was empty.

IV. THE BODY-WAS-MOVED THEORY.

Some people conjecture that Jesus' body must have been moved to another tomb. Who would have done it? Some propose the Roman soldiers, others say the Jews, others Joseph of Arimathea, and yet others claim that Christ's body was moved by the gardener who tended the property.

Where is the historical evidence to support this theory? There is none. It is simply the invention of skeptical minds. Even if the body of Christ had been moved, all that was needed was for the person who had moved it to say, "No, you disciples are mistaken, Jesus did not rise from the dead. I moved the body, and here it is."

These first two arguments against the resurrection are very shallow, and few people today hold to them. However, quite a few people believe in the next three theories. Let us see if any of them is reasonable.

V. THE HALLUCINATION THEORY.

This is the view that the people who claim to have seen Jesus risen from the dead were actually seeing hallucinations. What can be said about this theory?

1. Psychologists inform us that such self-deception never happens in groups of people. But Christ was seen by many people, sometimes ten or more people were present, and the Apostle Paul mentions one case of Jesus appearing to 500 people at once (See Matthew 28:16-17; John 20:19-29; and 1 Corinthians 15:6).

2. Hallucinations are restricted as to when and where they occur. They are usually experienced in a place with nostalgic atmosphere, or at a time which particularly brings the person to a mood of recalling the past. However, the risen Christ appeared to His followers in a variety of places and times. Furthermore, His appearances were not fleeting glimpses, but prolonged visits that included long conversations and meals.

3. In order to have an hallucination, one's imagination must be ruled by an intense desire to see something or someone. But in the case of the disciples, they were not expecting a resurrection. Against their own doubts and skepticism Jesus had to convince them to believe that He had really returned from the dead (See Luke 24:36-43 and John 20:24-29).

4. Finally, the hallucination theory fails to explain why the tomb was empty. If the disciples had imagined the whole thing, all the authorities had to do was get the body from the tomb, put it on a wagon, and drive it through the streets of Jerusalem.

VI. THE COMA THEORY.

This is the claim that Christ did not really die on the cross, but rather He fell into a coma and later revived.

Mark 15:44-45 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.

1. The Roman soldiers affirmed that Christ had died. These men were professional executioners who would not have made a mistake.

John 19:31-35 Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

2. Jesus' friends saw Him die and entertained no hopes that He had somehow survived the crucifixion, which was the most severe form of execution of ancient times. With his own eyes the Apostle John saw a soldier pierce the Savior's side. He reported that blood and water flowed out of Christ's side. Doctors today recognize this flow of fluids as convincing evidence that Jesus had indeed expired.

3. In addition, those who hold to the coma theory are forced to give a logical explanation for the following unlikely occurrences:

a. How Jesus, though severely injured, survived 36 hours in a cold tomb without food, water, or any other care.

b. How this severely weakened man rolled away the stone that blocked the exit, a feat requiring the strength of several healthy men.

c. How He sneaked past the soldiers without being detected.

d. How, in spite of His broken health, He could convince the disciples that He had won a victory over death.

e. How He had the energy to walk 14 miles to the town of Emmaus and back that very day (See Luke 24:13-15, and 28).

Clearly, the coma theory is more incredible than the resurrection.

VII. THE THEFT THEORY.

This is the oldest of all arguments against the resurrection. The Apostle Matthew tells us how it came into existence.

Matthew 28:11-15 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole Him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Is the theft theory plausible?

1. The depression and cowardice of the disciples argues against it. They had abandoned Jesus upon His arrest (Mark 14:66-72). All of them were thoroughly disillusioned by the death of their leader of whom they had expected so much. They were in no mood to dare to attack a detachment of well-armed soldiers and snatch the body out of the tomb.

2. Even if the disciples had attempted to steal the body, they would have been killed. The Roman soldier was the most stalwart and well-trained fighting man in the world. The soldiers would have made mincemeat out of non-professional fighters such as the disciples.

3. The claim is made that the soldiers fell asleep. However, Roman soldiers were not prone to fall asleep. Why? Because it was death for a Roman sentinel to snooze at his post, and this law was rigidly enforced. In light of this fact, it is impossible that all of them could have fallen asleep when they had been stationed there for the very purpose to see that the body was not stolen. And one other question: Even if they had fallen asleep, how then did the disciples roll away the stone without making a loud racket?

4. If the soldiers were snoozing, how could they know that the disciples stole the body? What judge would listen to you if you said that while you were sleeping, your neighbor came into your house and stole your television? Who knows what goes on while he is asleep? Testimony like this would be thrown out of any court. [Paul Little, Know Why You Believe, Scripture Press, 1971, p. 63,64]

5. The most convincing argument against the theft theory is the drastic change that took place in the apostles. They had been a disillusioned, cowardly bunch. Then suddenly they were transformed into bold witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (See Acts 4:17-20).

They dedicated their entire lives to spreading this message to the world, without receiving any material or financial benefit for themselves.

What caused this turnabout? The Bible says it was caused by the rising of a man from the dead. Those who believe the theft theory must say that it was caused by the crime of stealing the body, followed by the falsehood of proclaiming that Jesus had returned to life.

Tell me, would you die for a lie? The Watergate Scandal of the 1970's is an example of how people are unwilling to be persecuted for what they know to be a lie. At first, President Nixon's aides tried to maintain a united front against the investigators and the press. But before long, they were ratting on each other in order to save their own hides. None of them was in danger of losing his life. Yet, even so, they turned on each other and revealed the truth, in the hope that they could thus bargain a lighter sentence from the judge.

Men do not die for what they know to be a lie. All the Apostles of Jesus were persecuted for their beliefs, and all but John were martyred for their faith. To save their skins all they had to do was say, "Look, it was all a hoax. Jesus did not really rise." But instead the apostles went to their deaths proclaiming what they knew to be an historical fact--Jesus Christ rose from the dead!

VIII. WHAT IS YOUR CONCLUSION?

A. The example of Thomas.

John 20:26-31 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Previously Thomas had refused to believe that Christ was alive again. Faced with the evidence, He confessed that Christ was his Lord and God.

B. Consider the evidence. If God became man, then we would expect Him to do many astounding things.

1. He would enter into life in an unusual manner. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin.

2. He would be without sin. The Bible affirms Jesus' holiness.

3. He would perform miracles. Jesus repeatedly exhibited supernatural power.

4. He would be aware that He was different from other men. Christ claimed to be from above, sent to earth by the heavenly Father.

5. He would speak the greatest words ever spoken. Jesus Christ did.

6. He would have a lasting and universal influence. Christ has had a greater influence on the history of mankind than any other individual.

7. He would exercise power over death. Jesus Christ did!

8. He would satisfy the spiritual hunger in man. Billions have been satisfied by knowing Jesus Christ, the Savior that God the Father promised and sent to earth.

[Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Campus Crusade for Christ, 1972, p. 116]

C. Consider the logical options.

It is common to hear people say, "I believe Jesus was the greatest humanitarian and moral teacher the world has ever known. But I don't believe He was God."

This opinion is held by many folks who picture themselves as well-educated, clear-thinking, and logical. There is only one thing wrong with their opinion. It is totally illogical.

Anyone who falsely claimed to be God and deceived billions of people, does not deserve to be praised as a great teacher and humanitarian. If you have entertained this opinion, I urge you to recognize how preposterous it is, reject it, and then weigh the logical options that remain.

What, then, are our alternatives? Either Christ's claims were true or they were false. If they were false, He was either a liar or a lunatic. If they were true, then He must be who He claimed to be--God.

These are the only logical possibilities. Jesus Christ was either a con-man, a mad man, or the one and only God-man. The evidence, as you have seen, is wholly in favor of Jesus being God. You have seen the evidence of fulfilled prophecies, each one a miracle. You have seen the evidence that Christ gave His life to pay the price for the sins of the world, including yours and mine. You have seen the undeniable evidence for Christ's resurrection.

Will you accept the evidence or reject it? There is no neutral ground.

BRIDGE TO LESSON 5

In the first four lessons we have learned much about Jesus Christ, who claimed to be God. Learning is one thing. Believing it is another. If you've been a doubter in the past, how will you come to believe? We'll investigate this question in Lesson 5: God Can Change You.

© 1989 Philip M. Bickel

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.