Volume 4
October 13, 2002
Issue 41

THE DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION

The life of Jesus Christ is no myth. Both sacred and secular history admits that Christ really lived upon this earth. In the Bible, Luke records his birth (Lk. 2: 10). Contemporary Jewish historians, Josephus and Eusibius both record events of his life. Even recent historians like H. G. Wells, who doubted his death, admits that he lived and was one of the world's greatest characters. All agree that his life is as well documented as that of Herod the Great or George Washington. All recognize that even out time is reckoned from the Birth of Christ. Before the birth of Christ is recorded as B.C., and since his coming is recorded as A.D.-in the year of our Lord. He lived and greatly influenced the whole world from that time until now,

That Jesus Christ died by crucifixion is as well documented in the Bible as his birth (Matt. 27; Mk. 15; Lk. 23; Jn. 19 and I Cor. 15:1 4). These same passages record that he was buried. His enemies did all they could to see that he died. They tried at different times in different ways to kill him, but were hindered (J. 7:1,19,2531,40-46). They falsely accused him and finally set free a notorious desperado rather than to release Jesus as Pilate wanted them to do (Matt. 27: 15-25). Pilate sentenced him to be killed by crucifixion-the Roman method of executing criminalswhich they made Jesus out to be. A centurion was in charge of his execution (Matt. 24-26). The Centurion who witnessed his death said he died (Mk. 15:44,45). The soldier standing by decided to take no chances that he was not dead, so he thrust a spear into his side, from which came both blood and water - a sure sign of death (Jn. 19:30-34).

The prophets had foretold of his death. Christ himself had foretold of his death several times (Matt. 16:2 1; Mk. 8:3 1). Pilate was convinced that Jesus was dead and gave Joseph and Nicodemus permission to bury his body (Jn. 19:33-42). So they buried him in the new tomb of Joseph.

Jesus' disciples all believed him to be dead. In their despair, some of them went back to their former trade of fishing (Jn. 21:1-14). If Jesus had not died, how did he survive three in the tomb without medical attention. The loss of blood from the crown of thorns, the scourging, the nail holes in his hands and feet, and the spear hole in his side would have drained nearly all the blood from his body.

When Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples were bard to convince be was alive (Matt. 28:8-20). He met with two disciples on the road to Emaeus and talked and dined with them. The twelve disciples later saw Jesus on several occasions, talked with him, ate -with him, bandied him and finally saw him ascend up to heaven where a cloud received him out of their sight (Lk. 24:44-5 1); Acts 1:9-11). Could he have deceived them in all of this?

After his death, burial, resurrection, the empty tomb, the supper with his disciples and his commission to them, what became of him? If he did not ascend back into heaven, as it is recorded of him, did be live among the disciples after the forty days? He said he would ascend as clearly as he said he would die and raise from the dead (Jn. 6:62; 20:17). The witnesses who saw him ascend said they saw him disappear into the clouds (Lk. 24:50,51; Acts 1:9-11; If he did not ascend, what became of him? Why would his enemies be silent now?

-Gene A. Ellmore -