The Fact of the Resurrection of Jesus

BY DEACON GREG GARNIE

The pinnacle of all four gospels is the Resurrection of Jesus. As events go, this is the most dramatic turning point in human history, thanks to the faith conviction of the disciples of Jesus down the ages.

Yet not everyone accepts that Jesus died and rose again. There are many dissenting voices, both religious and secular. A relook at the gospels from a different perspective might help to address these doubts.

What makes the testimony of the Resurrection of Jesus so compelling is not so much what is stated or claimed, but rather who it is making the statement. Who are these people?

Jesus’ followers were very simple people indeed; fishermen, migrant workers, those with no significant status in society, even outcasts of society. Literacy levels were very low in the population, even among Jesus’ followers, so they would have been in awe of, if not intimidated by, the highly educated, powerful religious and political authorities at the time.

On top of that, they were well aware of the intolerance to any form of political or religious dissension, and having seen the treatment of Jesus, they were understandably afraid of meeting a similar fate.

In the days after the crucifixion, they were mourning the loss of their friend and hiding. This was their reality immediately following the arrest, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus.

Only Matthew’s gospel deals with the tomb being guarded, as his target audience is his fellow Jews. They were sceptical of the Resurrection, having been influenced by the powerful religious authorities.

These authorities, on hearing of the strange events at the tomb of Jesus, bribed the tomb guards and fabricated a story to discount the Resurrection.

They claimed the body was stolen by the disciples. If they acknowledged the Resurrection they would automatically have condemned themselves for having agitated for the death of the Messiah.

Theirs was a truly human response of covering up.

The gospels of Mark, Luke and John do not concern themselves with this detail as their target audience is the gentiles and Jews in the diaspora.

The simple question arises: Could the disciples of Jesus have overcome their fear of the authorities, within days of Jesus’ death and burial, to be able to remove the body from the guarded tomb?

If we put ourselves in their shoes we realise that they were not capable, psychologically and emotionally, of stealing the body of Jesus, even if the tomb was unguarded.

The startled reaction of the disciples when Jesus appears to them is well documented. They could touch him and eat with him. Jesus reaches out to their disbelief and transforms this into faith.

It is these same simple people, hiding from the authorities, who, a short while later, came out of hiding to boldly proclaim Jesus as the Christ, the Risen Saviour, not just of the Jews but of all humankind. Their transformation is impressive and cannot be ignored; from a state of fear, sadness and despair to one of courage, joy and hope.

The book of Acts records the experiences of the disciples — their successes, joys, hardships, adversity, persecution and even the martyrdom they endured, freely, for their faith. There is a record of the disciple Stephen, a deacon, who became the first martyr for his faith in the Risen Jesus.

When we reflect on the experiences of the disciples we cannot but sense their simple yet authentic testimony to the Resurrection of Jesus. There is no complex theological, philosophical or intellectual formulation needed to believe it. It is not their claim of a Resurrection having taken place which makes it true, but rather their transformation in response to the Resurrection that eloquently testifies to the truth.

Without the Resurrection, they would surely have gone back to their old ways of life — and the Church, the Body of Christ, would not be. Every human being is indebted to Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Peter, John, Thomas, Paul and all the others for proclaiming the truth.

Their question put before this generation is simple: How is the Resurrection of Jesus transforming your life and witnessing to the truth?