Christ is Risen
Dr.V.S.Indurkar
The resurrection of Jesus is described in all the four Gospels. St Paul testifies to this fact in many instances in his letters and Epistles. Indeed Resurrection of Jesus Christ after death on cross is fundamental to the Christian faith. However when we read these Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John we notice the variations in descriptions of Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection accounts. That is so because these Gospels were in oral form in the beginning, - for about 40 to 50 years. In early years when the apostles started preaching the Gospel, they were doing so orally. It is obvious that they being illiterate and poor had no other means to proclaim the Gospel. Also the original apostles were Aramaic speaking villagers /fisherman, who abandoned their means of livelihood to proclaim the Gospel. It is a proven fact that oral propagation is subject to variations. It certainly does not mean that the basic underlying message is at variance. After some period of time (later) perhaps a written documentation became necessary and the Gospels came in written form – the first one being ‘The Gospel of Mark’. Gradually the other three were also written. These were written in Greek. So the Translational mistakes in nuances also crept in besides ‘the mistakes due to repetitions’ of oral traditions.
The Basic Core: - What are the Minimal historical facts which assure Biblical evidence for Resurrection. These are :-
1. Crucifixion.
2. Death on Cross, - verified by Pilate before handing over the body for burial ( Mark Ch. 15: 44,45.).
3. Burial by Joseph of Arimathea , wrapping the body in a linen cloth and Burying in cave tomb.
4. A Heavy stone was rolled to shut the mouth of the cave, and sealed (Roman seal).
5. On the 3rd morning (1st day after Passover) This tomb was found Empty.
6. Appearance of Resurrected Jesus to eleven disciple . Mark Ch. 16: 14.
7. Revelation to St Paul ; The Acts Ch. 9: 5… “ I am Jesus whom thou persecutest”.
8. Testimony of St. Paul; 1 Corr. Ch.15 :1-8.
There are a few skeptics who raise doubts about Resurrection of Jesus.
Right from the time of Jesus’ crucifixion there have been attempts to discredit and falsify the Resurrection. Some of these attempts are as follows:-
1. Theft of the body :-It was alleged by the Jews of that period that the body of Jesus was stolen by his disciples during the night . It was precisely for this reason, the chief priests and Pharisees had approached Pilate - (Matt. Ch. 27:62-64). Pilate granted and sealed the tomb. He also had put guards posted for this purpose. This allegation is totally fallacious and a deliberate lie. Well known critic proposed a plausible scenario that few of disciples ventured such a theft. They were caught by the Roman Guards; who killed them on the spot and threw the bodies including that of Jesus in a desolate ravine and which rotted and remained there undetected. Rebuttal:- This is an unlikely scenario, because the Roman-Guards were vigilant, especially after the seal was put on complaint of chief priest. After all they had to explain the broken seal to authorities, and face consequent death.
2. The Swoon Theory :- In another attempt to falsify the Resurrection it was alleged that Jesus did not die on cross but was merely unconscious ( e.g. comatose). Subsequently inside the tomb He regained consciousness. And so it was a case of Resuscitation and not Resurrection. Rebuttal:- This theory is totally unworthy of any notice. Consider the physical condition of Jesus. He was bodily harmed and bruised badly. He had sore-wounds on his hands and feet, spear wound on his upper torso and other physical damages on his body. Under those conditions He was supposed to have got-up leaving his covering cloth (Shroud) and the cloth covering his face. Then he is supposed to have pushed the heavy stone covering the mouth of the tomb (cave), breaking the seal and escaping silently to a distance of at least 15 Kms. – nearest to any residential area to be able to get some covering and help. A Super- Human effort for a Resuscitated - person. Alternatively as a Divine-Entity Jesus never needed recourse to such earthly acts. He has Divine-powers in Him as Son of God.
Appearance of Resurrected Jesus to eleven disciples . (Mark Ch. 16: 14.)
After His Resurrection Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene (and others) Mark Ch. 16:9. He then appeared to the eleven disciples - Luke 24:36; Mark Ch.16:14; Matt. Ch28:18; John Ch. 20:19. He again appeared to them after eight days and Thomas was with them; He invited Thomas to touch his hands and believe in Him. Jesus said to Thomas (John Ch. 20:26-29 ) ….. blessed are they that have not seen and yet believed. Again He appeared to the disciples the third time at the sea of Tiberias John Ch.21:14. In all these appearances obstacles such as closed-doors , heavy stone blocking the cave etc. were inconsequential, - because He is a Divine-entity. Afterwards Jesus showed himself to the disciples for forty days speaking of things pertaining to the kingdom of God, - Acts Ch.1:3; after which He ascended to God in Heaven – Acts Ch.1:9.
Revelation to St Paul ; The Acts Ch. 9 – 5… :- “ I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” St. Paul was born a Jew of Tarsus. As F.B.Meyer writes in book – ‘Paul’, “He came of pure Hebrew stock.. On both sides his genealogy was pure. …….”He was a Pharisee, and the son of a Pharisee” – (Acts 23:6).. He was sent to Jerusalem to study for the office of Rabbi under Gamaliel. Saul –( as he was called earlier), took on with crusade –like zeal to punish disciples of the Lord. He sought letters from High priest that he might bring them bound to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1,2). As he journeyed to Damascus he had revelation of Jesus the Christ. After three days when his eyes opened he was a Christian – convert and was baptized (Acts 9:18). St. Paul’s conversion was of prime importance to Christian-Faith. What sets St. Paul apart from other first apostles was that he was a learned person, who had studied Jewish scriptures thoroughly and consequent to conversion he interpreted and expressed well for Christianity . Besides his journeys he wrote many Epistles which are the backbone of Christian-Faith. He was Apostle of the Gentiles – ( F.B.Myer).
Testimony of St. Paul; 1 Corr. Ch.15 1-8 :- St. Paul wrote in epistle to Corinthians in 51 A.D. He declares that (verse 3) “ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received ------ .” Leading scholars assess that “received” could be near 4 to 5 years from crucifixion and Resurrection. And therefore this passage is regarded as the most reliable testimony of resurrection. He narrates appearance of risen Jesus in chronological order, besides affirming “that he rose again on the third day according to Scriptures”.
In 1Corr. Ch.15:3 Paul writes : “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.” And on the eve of His crucifixion Jesus Himself said, “But for this cause came I unto this hour” (John 12:27) .
If we believe, the Resurrection of Christ guarantees our future resurrection - 1Corr Ch .15. Paul wrote “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no Resurrection of the dead. If there is no Resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised” (Ch 15:12&13). “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (Ch 15:20).