04/06/2026
EVERYONE KNOWS — THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION...
EXCEPT THERE IS!... THERE IS MORE EVIDENCE THAN YOU'VE EVER BEEN TOLD...
The historical evidence for the life of Jesus outside of the Bible and from non-Christian sources has been greatly documented from the Roman Historian, Tacitus; Pliny the Younger; and Josephus, the first century Jewish Historian to The Babylonian Talmud, and Lucian of Samosata, a second century Greek satirist.
No shred of evidence has ever been found in literary sources or archeology to disprove the statement that the tomb where Jesus was buried was found empty 3-days later.
In fact, both Roman and Jewish sources admit that there was an empty tomb. Dr. Paul Maier calls this "positive evidence from a hostile source, which is the strongest kind of historical evidence. In essence, this means that if a source admits a fact decidedly not in its favor, then that fact is genuine."
HERE ARE SOME WILD FACTS ABOUT THE RESURRECTION!
Fact #1: The Broken Roman Seal
After Jesus’ crucifixion his body was placed in a tomb it was sealed. This was a sign that Rome authenticated that the tomb was occupied. This large seal was probably similar to small wax seals used on letter in modern history. It indicated that the full power and authority of the Roman Empire would apprehend (by ex*****on) anyone who broke the seal. Both Roman and Jewish leaders knew that Jesus had prophesied about his resurrection and did not want Jesus’ followers to steal his body and claim that he was resurrected. Noteworthy, is the fact that Jesus’ followers were cowards and almost all of them completely abandoned him before the crucifixion. If Jesus’ body could have been produced at any time by the Roman Authorities to prove that Jesus’ was not resurrected and stop the growing following of his disciples don’t you think Rome would have produced the body?
Fact #2: The 2-Ton Stone was Moved
Jesus body was placed in a solid rock tomb also known as a sepulcher. Then an extremely large stone was rolled against the entrance of the tomb. This large stone normally weighed about two tons and was rolled down a small hill by levers into a grooved slot to “lock” it into place so it covered a tombs entrance. It was widely reported that the stone had been removed. It would not have been an easy feat under the best of circumstances. How many people and how much mechanical advantage do you think it would take to roll that 2-ton stone back up the hill or roll it out of the grooved slot? But wait, first these dissidents would have had to fight the Roman Guards in order to access the tomb.
FACT #3: The ROMAN GUARDS went AWOL
The “Roman Guard” stationed at Jesus’ tomb was not just one man. A Roman Guard was a sixteen-man military unit governed by strict rules. The Roman military was notorious for their discipline and the death penalty was given for many different duties (as many military’s still do to this day): desertion, being a traitor, and leaving the night watch to name just a few. If a guard member fell asleep, he was beaten and burned with his own clothes. And, he was not the only one executed, the 16-man guard unit was executed if only one of the members fell asleep on duty. These guards fled and abdicated their position and their responsibility. This can’t be understated!
Fact #4 The Empty Tomb
The disciples could’ve gone around the world to Athens or Rome preaching about the resurrection but they stayed in Jerusalem where everything had happened. If what they said was false there would’ve been plenty of evidence. If the empty tomb was not an established fact there would be no Christianity –no Christians –no followers of Christ. It would be a proven hoax. But, the empty tomb was "too notorious to be denied." Paul Althaus states that the resurrection "could have not been maintained in Jerusalem for a single day, for a single hour, if the emptiness of the tomb had not been established as a fact for all concerned."
Fact #5 The Grave Clothes Remained
Weirdly, the tomb wasn’t completely empty. Jesus’ grave clothes remained. And, they were undisturbed by eye witnesses. If Jesus had only pretended to be dead why would he leave the grave clothes and run around Jerusalem naked. Someone should have seen him and remembered!
Fact #6 The Resurrection was Confirmed by over 500 Eye Witnesses
If only a small number of people were on record as believing the resurrection and there was no other evidence then this could all be chalked up to illusion, myth, or a hoax. But, the fact Jesus reappeared multiple times in multiple places to multiple groups of people was widely published and substantiated by eyewitnesses. Many of these people refused to recant their testimony and were put to death
Fact #7 The Apostles Died Horrific Deaths for Their Testimony.
11 of the 12 Apostles, Jesus’ closest Disciples, were tortured excruciatingly for refusing to denounce what they knew and saw. They were martyred for their their belief that Jesus was the Son of God, crucified and resurrected. Who do you know would submit to death never mind a torturous, excruciating death to defend their belief in a lie or a hoax? Especially, when it was public knowledge that all but one of the disciples were so great of cowards that they denied they knew Jesus and abandoned him when he was arrested for his crucifixion. Generally cowards aren’t transformed into courageous, vocal warriors without some powerful catalyst. What catalyst could cause each of these men within the same time frame to become courageous enough to be tortured for their beliefs and die confessing the truth?
Conclusion
These are some of the reasons that I believe that Death and the Grave were defeated by Jesus Christ.... This is why Faith trumps Fear... Peace trumps Turmoil... Life trumps Death... Joy trumps Grief... Love trumps Hate....