Someone posted a question on social media
last week: Is there any proof that Jesus actually rose from the dead?
Sometimes you just want to chuckle at people’s
ignorance. Oh, the amount of proof is astonishing! How many people saw Him! How
many testified that it was Jesus indeed! People even came back from the dead to
give testimony to Jesus!
Jesus Christ, as resurrected, appeared to
Mary Magdalene (Mt. 28:9-10, Jn. 20:11-17 – an “idle tale” Peter says, Lk.
24:11) and to the other women.
To Simon Peter (who must have swallowed
his words; Lk. 24:34; I Cor. 15:5).
To the 11 Apostles (Lk 24:36-49; Jn.
20:19-23, 26-29; I Cor. 15:5), when Jesus ate some fish and had them touch Him
to prove He was real flesh and not a ghost, even rebuking them for their
unbelief and hardness of heart (Mk. 16:14).
To two disciples on the way to Emmaus (Mk.
16:12-13; Lk. 24:13-35), when He was made known in the Breaking of the Bread
(Eucharist).
To James (I Cor. 15:7).
To seven disciples, including Peter and
John, fishing on the Sea of Tiberius [Galilee] (Jn. 21:1-23).
To 500 people at once (I Cor. 15:6).
(Enough witnesses for you yet?)
In fact, Acts 1:3 says that during those
days Jesus was appearing to people all over!
Then also, who knows how many people saw
the resuscitated dead who had come out from their tombs after the earthquake
when Jesus died on Good Friday (Mt. 27:53)? They were still appearing after
Jesus was resurrected. Scripture (1 Pet.
3:19) and the Apostles Creed tells us Jesus went to preach to the souls of the
dead. Can you imagine hearing testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, from a
deceased loved one, now brought back to life and to come to you to testify to
you? Telling you about Jesus’ appearance to the dead, His resurrection on
earth, and challenges you to believe in Him who is God and to repent before it
is too late. Wow!
Yes! There were ample witnesses
everywhere! Plenty of proof. Even people coming back from the dead send to
convince the living! (Cf., Luke 16:30-31.)
“Truly this was the Son of God!”
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Dibby Allan Green