Following the death of Jesus, His body was placed in a tomb. This practice was very common among families that could afford tombs in the first century. It was also very common for the remains of the dead to be removed from the tomb and placed in a bone box (ossuary) any time after one year from death. The name of the deceased would be engraved on the limestone box and the box would then be stored in a cave with other boxes. Over the years, about 1,000 ossuaries have been found in Israel - many of these with recognizable engravings of names.
It was in this context my student was asking, “What would happen if a bone box with Jesus’ name is ever found?” My answer was very clear – I would abandon Christianity. The shock was obvious on the faces of these college students. “Does one have to believe the resurrection in order to be a Christian?” Another student chimed in, “…but I know a Christian who does not believe in the resurrection…”
Seriously though, does one need to believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus in order to be a Christian? Paul in Romans 10:9 contends that belief in the resurrection is necessary for one to become a Christian. Paul is not suggesting that one must know of the resurrection in order to become a Christian. Rather, I believe I hear him saying one cannot reject the resurrection of Jesus and at the same time want to become a Christian.
The resurrection of Jesus was humanly impossible- decomposition, not resurrection, follows death. Any reversal of this order is beyond the natural. The New Testament maintains that something beyond the natural occurred and Jesus was seen by several persons for more than a month, following His death. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians argues, if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then our faith is useless (1 Corinthians 15:14). To deny the physical resurrection of Jesus is to deny the supernatural intervention, following the crucifixion.
Even a cursory reading of Acts will show that the testimony of those who witnessed the resurrection was critical to the new movement. Secular historians claim that the resurrection is a matter of faith and not history. The fact that the alleged experience is not a natural phenomenon means it cannot be considered to be an historical event.
Logically, that would seem to make sense. However, what does not seem to make sense is to conclude that because something does not fit one’s definition of reality, that something did not take place. Okay, here are a few historical questions for the historian:
1) How can we account for the empty tomb, within days of the crucifixion?
2) How can we account for the sudden enthusiasm of discouraged and fearful disciples so soon after the crucifixion of Jesus?
3) How can we account for the rapid growth of the church, were it not for the message of the resurrection?
4) How can we account for the early church wor-shipping on the first day of the week, were it not for an opportunity to remember the resurrection?
5) How do we account for the martyrdom of the disciples, were it not for their convictions about the resurrection?
6) How do we account for the remarkable conversion and life of Paul the persecutor, were it not for the resurrection?
7) How do we account for the missing corpse or even the ossuary of Jesus, knowing that either item would negate the Christian claim of His resurrection?
Answers to these and other questions do not require a religious worldview – then why can’t they be answered? Frank Morrison, Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel tried to find answers in their quest to prove the resurrection a hoax – the result? Each one followed the evidence and became Christians.
It is true – people would die for what they believe to be true, but never for what they know to be a lie. Trace the deaths of each of the disciples in Foxe’s Book of Christian Martyrs; excepting John who was banished for the truth, all the other disciples died for what they knew to be true. Even Judas, after betraying Jesus, admitted he betrayed innocent blood. Judas eventually took his own life because he could not live with the memories of his crime.
It is impossible to believe the resurrection of Jesus and not be affected by what we believe. The disciples lived and even died for what they believed.
May Easter 2012 challenge us to do something about what we believe.
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