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What does the Bible say about Jesus’ Resurrection?

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The Evidence for the Resurrection

Question: Do you believe the resurrection really happened?

Several women and Peter and John saw the empty tomb. If there was a body, it could have been produced and the resurrection movement squashed.

1 Corinthians 15:5-6 — “And that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.”

More than 500. In a court of law, only 2-3 witnesses are necessary to confirm a case. Many of these witnesses were still alive and could confirm it. If they were asked and said, “Nah man, I don’t know what you are talking about,” Christianity would have ended before it began.

James, Jesus’ half-brother, did not originally believe. Later he did (John 7:5 and 1 Corinthians 15:7). Something happened to change his mind. It wasn’t the money! Saul persecuted the church, but was converted.

Something changed the disciples from fearful to being extremely bold. Most of the disciples were martyred for their faith. The disciples knew if Jesus arose or it was their own fabrication. They could have saved their lives by stopping to preach the gospel. They kept on.

People tell lies for two reasons, to gain benefits or to avoid punishment. Did you ever see a kid lie to his parents to avoid getting in trouble? Did you ever see a kid lie to his parents so that he would be disciplined? I have never seen that. Why would they risk their life for something they knew was a lie? They didn’t. They believed Jesus did rise from the dead and because they were eye-witnesses their belief is a powerful evidence that it is true.

Some say it was a myth. Myths take a long time to develop. The four gospel accounts are early records of Jesus’ resurrection. Acts was as well. Clement, Polycarp and other early church fathers believed it and wrote about it as well.

Christianity is built upon the resurrection. Without it, we have no New Testament, no missionaries, no church, no movement. The church itself, all of us meeting here today, are evidence that Jesus did rise from the dead.

But what about those who were not Jesus’ disciples? Did they know about the resurrection and how did they respond?

Matthew 28:11-15 — “While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, ‘Tell people, His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.”

They had signs, miracles, and evidence every step of Jesus’ ministry. They heard firsthand from the Roman guards, people who had no incentive to lie. The resurrection was right there. Everything was right in front of their eyes. They were so close, but so far. They didn’t even investigate. They didn’t even consider the fact that they might be wrong. They just rejected it out of hand.

Not everyone who hears the gospel will be saved. Many who hear the good news will not accept it. Many will reject it out of hand without so much as any investigation. Some even in the church will not be saved because though they follow the traditions of Christianity, they have not placed their faith in Christ.

— From our Bible study on The Resurrection – John 20 and The Resurrection Demands a Response – John 20

Personal Encounters with the Risen Jesus

As we look at the encounters of the disciples with the risen Lord, think about this question. Have you had a personal encounter with Jesus? Believing the fact of the resurrection and believing in Jesus is not the same.

Mary discovered the empty tomb (John 20:1-2). Mary’s background:

• Possessed by seven demons that Jesus cast out (Luke 8:2).
• An outcast, but not to Jesus.

Mary was with several other ladies, but John focuses on her. She ran to tell the disciples. She didn’t believe yet. She was distraught.

John 20:11 — “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.”

The disciples thought it was an “idle tale” and did not believe (Luke 24:10-11). Peter and John were curious. They investigated. John was faster. Peter went in.

John 20:8-9 — “Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.”

They believed Mary’s report. Jesus was not there. Perhaps they believed something strange or miraculous had happened. They didn’t yet fully understand or believe in the resurrection. They returned to their homes. Less than a full faith in Jesus as the risen Messiah wasn’t enough to transform them.

John 20:14-15 — “Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.'”

Why did she not immediately recognize Jesus? She was weeping, blurry eyed, and distracted. It was early morning, still dark. She thought he was dead so she wasn’t expecting Him to appear. His new glorified body was somewhat different.

John 20:16 — “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!'”

That is beautiful. The encounter was personal. Her relationship to Him was personal. He calls us by name (John 10:3). She clung to Him. She was given a job. Go announce this.

John 20:17 — “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

MY BROTHERS — first time Jesus directly uses this term toward the disciples. Their relationship was closer than ever before. He was their rabbi, their teacher. Now they were brothers. She encountered a risen Jesus and would never be the same.

Why was she the first to have an encounter with Jesus? Was it because she desired it the most? Jesus’ first appeared to a woman. He first announced He was the Christ to a woman. Why? Counter-cultural — that society did not value women highly. He values everyone.

Reflect — Think back on how you came to Christ. How did He reach out to you? Through a person or situation? Spend a moment to think about that and to thank Him that He did.

John 20:19 — “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them.”

The disciples were afraid. The disciples were together. It is good to be with other believers when you need strength and comfort. Don’t face it alone. Jesus initiated this encounter. He reaches out to us in our darkest moments, in times of fear and distress and need. He reached out to the disciples at the beginning and He continued to reach out to them. He reaches out to us spiritually by taking the first move (Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:19). He came to comfort them, not rebuke them. There was no rebuke for their fear, their fleeing days before, their lack of belief, or even for Peter’s denials. Do not be afraid of an encounter with Jesus. He is gracious and kind (Matthew 12:20).

Jesus wants a personal encounter with you. Encountering Jesus doesn’t just need to be a thing of the past. It is not a one-time thing. He wants to talk with you every day. He is inviting you into His presence to be with Him, spend time with Him, and grow your relationship. He invited the people to drink the living water, to eat the bread of life. He invited those who are weak and heavy laden and promised rest. The invitation is open.

The Bible compares our relationship with Christ to marriage. How would your wife like it if you met her on your wedding day and then never saw her again? How good would your marriage be if you said “Hi” once a week and lived the rest of your life on your own? To strengthen your marriages, you need to seek to deepen your relationship daily through conversation and sharing time together.

Jeremiah 29:13 — “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Psalms 27:8 — “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, LORD, do I seek.'”

Seek to be with Him daily.

— From our Bible study on The Resurrection – John 20

Doubting Thomas and the Reasonableness of Faith

John 20:25 – So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Not all the disciples were there when Jesus appeared. Thomas was absent. Though the other disciples tried to convince him that they saw Jesus, he wouldn’t budge. He wore his skepticism on his arm almost like a badge of honor. That has earned him the nickname, “Doubting Thomas.”

What should we make of Thomas? Thomas had seen enough of Jesus’ miracles that He should have believed. Yet he demanded what many people still demand today, to see some empirical evidence.

Jesus graciously showed him that clear evidence and appeared again so that Thomas would be fully convinced. Then Thomas did believe. Why did God show Him this clear evidence, but not many others? Thomas had already believed the different miracles He saw Jesus doing and was loyal to Him. If we believe the things God has already shown us, He is far more likely to show us more.

Jesus is gracious. He didn’t scold Thomas for his lack of faith. Neither did He reject Thomas. But He was patient and compassionate. Thank God that He is the same way toward us today.

He gives ample evidence to those who need it. God does not require a blind faith. Never does He say, “You must believe against all evidence.” The faith is not a faith that is against logic and reason. It is not a blind faith. It is a reasonable faith built on the truth.

Transformed lives of the disciples — these guys were cowering in a locked room for fear of their lives. Later they ended up giving their lives for the belief that Jesus arose from the dead. Where did they get this boldness? Why would they give their life for a lie?

— From our Bible study on The Resurrection Demands a Response – John 20

The Resurrection Brings Peace and Joy

We understand that Jesus had to die. The disciples did not yet understand this. Their entire worldview came crashing down when Jesus was killed on the cross. Were their beliefs wrong? Had they made a mistake? Had they followed the wrong person? Were they somehow responsible? Was there something they were missing? Hundreds of questions like these must have rushed through their minds one after another. It was an emotional hit that we cannot quite grasp.

John 20:2 — “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

John 20:19 — “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews.”

Think about how you would feel if authorities raided your church and brutally killed your pastor. That feeling was magnified for them because Jesus was far more than just their pastor.

John 20:19 — “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.'”

Jesus did not rebuke them for their fear. He didn’t say, “Why are you hiding in here? Did I not tell you I would die and rise again?” His message was not one of criticism, but one of comfort. Note that the very FIRST word Jesus spoke to the disciples after His resurrection was “Peace!” What a beautiful image that is. He emphasized it by saying it twice.

It wasn’t just empty words. His presence surely brought them peace on an emotional level. They would have felt calm, safe, and secure. Their fears would have faded as they realized the magnitude of what had happened. Jesus was even greater than they realized! If you follow their story in Acts, you will see this peace in them. They calmly and boldly proclaim the news of Jesus’ resurrection even in the face of dangerous persecution.

I remember when I was a child of about 7, I got separated from my family. They accidentally left me at a stranger’s house when they were going to garage sales. I chased after the car, but couldn’t catch it. I was quite scared and panicked. Eventually I flagged down a car and asked for help. The lady who was driving called 911 and a police car soon came up. This was the only time I was ever in a police car. The cop drove me to where my father was. When I was reunited, I felt peace. My heart rate went down. I stopped crying. I knew everything would be OK. I imagine the disciples felt a little bit like this.

But the peace was even more than a surface emotion. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, they could have a lasting peace with God. They were no longer His enemies.

Ephesians 2:13-14 — “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace.”

Jesus came to bring peace between us and God. Because of our sin, we deserve death, judgment, and hell. Jesus came to take our punishment for us. He came to reconcile us with God. Because of His death and resurrection, our sins can be forgiven and we can have peace with God. If you have not experienced this peace, today He is inviting you. He is offering you true peace. Will you accept it?

John 20:20 — “When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”

They were glad. In my preparation, I stopped here for some time. I kept asking myself, “Don’t you have more to say? This was the greatest event in the history of the world and your commentary is that you guys were ‘glad.’ Weren’t you at least ‘overjoyed?'” It is certainly an understated description, but it does show a deep contentment and gladness. Being happy in the end is the thing people seek after the most.

If only one word could be used to describe your marriage, what would you pick? Many say, “happy.” “They had a happy marriage” is the highest compliment you could give. People look everywhere for happiness; to money, relationships, thrills, etc. This encounter shows us that Jesus is the source of happiness. When He came, they were glad. They wanted to be with Him and they were happy in His presence.

Reflect — Are you seeking happiness and satisfaction anywhere else? Let today be the day that you recognize that Jesus is the only source who can give it to you.

— From our Bible study on The Resurrection – John 20

Why the Resurrection Matters

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

The resurrection is the crux of the Christian faith. It’s actually easy to die. Anybody can do it. The resurrection is the bigger miracle, proving that Jesus was true, that His death was effective in bringing salvation. It proved Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God.

What would have happened if Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead? Nothing. If Jesus hadn’t arisen from the dead nothing would have happened. The disciples would have gone back to their jobs. The Jews would have continued exulting in their triumph. The story would have ended. The movement would have been crushed. The New Testament wouldn’t have been written. Churches wouldn’t have been established.

What meaning does our faith have without the resurrection? Nothing special. Without the resurrection, Christianity would be reduced to a number of moral principles. Even those would have to be followed with doubt. How could you follow Jesus as a moral authority if He lied by not fulfilling His prediction to rise from the dead? (Matthew 16:21)

This is what Paul says about the importance of the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:14 — “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”

1 Corinthians 15:17 — “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”

1 Corinthians 15:19 — “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

With no resurrection, we are wasting our time here. There wouldn’t be Christianity without the resurrection.

In what way does the resurrection set Christianity apart from other religions? Jesus was the only religious leader that ever arose from the dead. Buddha is dead. Mohammed is dead. Confucius is dead. Joseph Smith is dead. All of these guys are still in the tomb. But Jesus isn’t.

One person put it this way. You come upon an intersection and there are two guys there. You are unsure which way to go and you need to pick one to ask directions from. Who do you ask? Hard to say, right? You could ask about their familiarity with the region or their guide credentials. But what if I gave you one more piece of information? One of the guys is dead and one is alive. Who do you ask? It’s the proof that Jesus is of God while the other religions are just man-made.

Why is the resurrection so important to believers? It shows that Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf was effective. The resurrection is also a symbol of the new life we have in Christ when we believe in Him. As He rose to a new and perfect body, so one day we too will rise again. The curse will not last forever. Sin and death have been conquered.

This event changed the world and our lives.

Reflect — Think for a moment about how different your life would be without the resurrection.

So the event of the resurrection is not just a fact that happened. It is the unfolding of God’s plan that demands a response.

— From our Bible study on The Resurrection Demands a Response – John 20

Your Response to the Resurrection

How do we respond? There can be three types of responses to the resurrection: rejection, investigation, and belief.

Some people might claim to be agnostic and say, “I don’t care. I am in the middle. I won’t think about it or make any response.” But not deciding is a decision itself. If a doctor tells you that you have cancer and need treatment and you say, “I don’t want to make a decision,” that is already a decision. It is a decision to do nothing. You are not receiving treatment.

Jesus’ claims demand a response. He claimed to be the Son of God. He claimed to have the power to save you. And now we see that His disciples claimed He rose again.

Reflect — How will you respond?

The religious leaders heard news of the resurrection. It was shared with them by an objective source. But they weren’t interested. They never stopped to think about the amazing miracle that had taken place. They never seemed to even ask, “Could it be true?” They were not willing to consider that they had made a mistake in putting Jesus to death. Their pride pushed them to “stand their ground” and “not give in.” They couldn’t and wouldn’t admit they were wrong. It’s so sad. Salvation was right there. It was close at hand.

If you have been in the category of rejection, I have one request of you. Do not reject it outright. Instead, investigate.

This is the most important decision you will ever make. Before choosing a school for your kids, you do some research. Before making an important medical decision, you get a second opinion. Even before purchasing a new phone, you probably put in some time to research and compare.

Matthew 16:26 — “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

How much more, should we be willing to spend the time to investigate the gospel and the resurrection? Your soul is on the line. The information on the credibility of the resurrection and the Bible is out there. Do not just keep putting it off. Start asking questions. Start studying. Start researching.

The investigation will lead to a choice. For the disciples, they then believed. Belief is not the end of the story though. Their belief led them to two things.

They were glad! Today is a day of rejoicing.

John 15:11 — “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

The resurrection should fill our hearts with joy. It should put a smile on our face. It means that God loves us. It means that good wins, God wins. Death is conquered. Sin is crushed. Satan is defeated. The light overcomes the darkness. It means our sins are forgiven. It means our eternal destiny is secure. It means we have life. It means that one day, we too, will rise. It is victory. It is hope.

If you feel that way about the resurrection, what will you do? Announce it! Mary told the disciples. The disciples told Thomas. They then told the world! But still, there are billions of people in our generation who do not know.

Reflect — Who will you tell? A neighbor, a relative, a classmate, a colleague? (Romans 10:14-15)

The resurrection is the best news we will ever hear. Let’s smile and tell others.

— From our Bible study on The Resurrection Demands a Response – John 20

A Mission, a Helper, and a Message

The entire trajectory of the world, civilization, human history, and countless individual lives have been changed as a result of the resurrection.

Suggested Read: The Case for Christ

Where would you be today if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead?

John 20:21 — “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Before the resurrection, you could have called the disciples, “Men without a mission.” They were aimless. They didn’t know what to do or where to go. They were just kind of sitting around in a locked room. Jesus’ resurrection changed all of that. He gave them a purpose and a vision. They now knew which direction to go. The rest of their life would be lived to fulfill this divine purpose.

A core need of people is to have a purpose greater than themselves and their day-to-day needs. Without it, people are aimless, floating where the cultural winds take them. It’s a sad thing to see a person who doesn’t have any direction in life.

• The thirty-year old man who lives in his parent’s basement playing video games.
• The young lady who has changed jobs twenty times in a year.
• The old man who has been from one relationship to another his whole life.

It is also a sad thing to see someone chasing after the wrong mission their whole life. Jesus talked about that in the parable of the rich fool. The man who spent his whole life making money and was quite satisfied with his achievements. But God said, “Fool.” He was going to die and where would all of his wealth go?

Ask your neighbor, “What is your mission?” If you don’t have an answer to that question yet, you can find the answer in today’s passage. They were called to announce Jesus’ resurrection to the world. We are called to do the same.

Reflect — Are you:

• Without a mission?
• With your own mission?
• With God’s mission?

Jesus gave them a mission. He would send them and us around the world to accomplish this mission. But they were not doing this mission on their own. He gave them the job and then He gave them the means to accomplish the job.

John 20:22 — “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

John 14:26 — “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit as a helper. The Holy Spirit would be their guide. He would help them personally follow Jesus’ teachings and He would help them accomplish this mission. No matter how hard you try, you cannot change someone’s heart. You cannot convince them to believe in Jesus. No matter how diligent, persuasive, or passionate you are, you cannot complete the mission on your own. Changing hearts is the work of the Holy Spirit. You should take comfort in this. You are not alone.

John 20:23 — “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, forgiveness of sins was possible. The disciples were entrusted with a message, the good news that sins could be forgiven because of Christ’s work on the cross. This verse does not mean they had the power to forgive sins on their own. God is the judge and He is the only one with this power. We have to understand this verse within context. They were God’s emissaries. It was their job to proclaim the forgiveness of sins to all who believed in Jesus as Savior. They announced this good news and told people that if they repented, they could be forgiven. At the same time, they would pronounce God’s judgment on those who refused to receive the gospel.

The good news that they were proclaiming is simple. You can be forgiven of your sins if you place your faith in Jesus. That is why we celebrate Resurrection Day.

— From our Bible study on The Resurrection – John 20

We hope you enjoyed this Bible study on the resurrection. May God use His Word to speak into your life and give you strength to follow it. Please take some time to reflect on the questions below and consider leaving a comment with your key takeaway or insight.

Reflection Questions

• Do you believe the resurrection really happened? What convinces you?
• Have you had a personal encounter with Jesus, beyond simply believing facts about Him?
• Think back on how you came to Christ. How did He reach out to you?
• Are you seeking happiness and satisfaction anywhere else besides Jesus?
• What would your life be like without the resurrection?
• How will you respond to the claims of the resurrection: rejection, investigation, or belief?
• What is your mission? Are you without a mission, with your own mission, or with God’s mission?
• Who will you tell about the good news of the resurrection this week?
• How has the resurrection impacted your future? How does it impact how you spend your time each day?