Did the Resurrection of Jesus Really Happen? Part 3 – 1 Corinthians 15:5-7

God was in the world 2,000 years ago, and He left a trace that has been the resounding testimony of the church, Scripture, and as we will see today, several eyewitnesses. Jesus died on the cross, and rose again from the grave on the third day- Jesus Christ, the eternal God and man. Jesus’s resurrection proved that God was in the world to reconcile man to Himself, and all men must therefore repent, because He has fixed a day in which Christ will come again to judge the world in righteousness. (Acts 17:30-31)

Eyewitness accounts are powerful testimonies. They are from those who were physically present, who saw the event themselves. During the time Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthians, most of the eyewitnesses of Jesus’s resurrection were still alive. Nevertheless, there were still many who denied the resurrection. Some claimed the disciples hallucinated from intense grief over Jesus’s death. But Scripture shows that the disciples were not overcome with grief in any way- rather, they were filled with disappointment and fear. (Lk 24:15,21; Jn 20:19) The risen Jesus was not a hallucination nor a ghost- He showed His disciples His scars on His hands and feet; He even ate food. (Lk 24:38-43) Hallucinations could not have caused men to become martyrs- it is only by the actual resurrection of Jesus they were willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel.

Why are the testimonies of these eyewitnesses valid?

They were freed from their guilt. Every man lives under guilt as a result of sin, and the guilty will be rejected and punished by God. (Rom 3:9) Peter, James, and the five hundred plus brethren all bore their own guilt. Peter denied Jesus on the night of His trial. He blasphemed and cursed Jesus out of fear of man, betraying His Lord just as wickedly as Judas did. (Matt 26:73-74) James was the brother of Jesus. He was a man of pride who did not believe, but mocked Christ. (Jn 7:2-5) The crowd of five hundred were those who followed Jesus during His ministry, awestruck by His miracles, who then turned and demanded Jesus to be crucified. (Lk 23:16-23; Acts 2:36-37) These guilty eyewitnesses were completely transformed after Jesus appeared. Peter and James became apostles- bold in faith, humble in heart- who were eventually martyred for their faith in Christ. The five hundred were converted to be the first church, living in devotion to the risen Lord. Their lives showed the fruit of being forgiven of sin and freed from guilt through Jesus’s death and resurrection. (Acts 4:18-20; 2:41-42; James 4:6,10) This is why their testimony was trustworthy.

There are many who saw the risen Lord. The Bible never accepts the account of one witness- there must be at least two or three. More than five hundred brethren saw Jesus resurrected. He didn’t reveal Himself secretly, but He stayed on earth for over forty days after His resurrection, appearing to many and teaching about the kingdom of God.

The Lord used the eyewitnesses effectively. The apostles who saw the resurrected Lord were carried by the Holy Spirit to author most of the New Testament. They became leaders in the churches, shepherding the flock of Christ. The five hundred brethren were eventually scattered because of persecution, but they went out to make disciples of all the nations. Without these works, the church would not exist today. Jesus’ resurrection brought hope and laid the foundation on which His church was to be built.

If we aspire to testify to the world of Jesus’s resurrection effectively, we must be transformed. There is no power in the testimony of he who does not love Christ and honor Him as Lord. As we meditate on Jesus’ resurrection, may the presence of the risen Lord be the power of our testimonies, so that we can be effective witnesses of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.