It is all so very interesting. And probably most impressive of all, is that we still have the record of specific happenings from 2000 years ago. That is amazing!
You can read them for yourself!
Sure they are debated.
Everything is debated by scholars, it is what they do. It is how they get known it is why they write books. They are known for their arguments called “apologetics.” They agree to disagree.
What I appreciate is how very public everything was. It is almost as if, “body cams” were everywhere.
Almost all of the events took place in public…very few were behind closed doors. The recorded record has been around for almost 2,000 years for people to debate, argue and refute. The record still stands.
As we know, most of the events took place in the Holy City of Jerusalem with swarms of people all around…because it was Passover!
It was no secret Jesus had been in public conflict with the authorities for quite some time.
He was an outspoken critic.
Jesus was arrested at night – but still in the presence of a large number of people.
The “powers that be” feared the crowds. They feared the pilgrims. They feared an up-rising.
The trial before Pontius Pilate, the Royal Governor, took place with a large, “unsympathetic mob” outside that demanded Jesus’ execution.
Jesus was actually paraded through the well known streets of Jerusalem – under guard, bearing a large cross. He was actually put on public display for all to see.
He was also executed in public, again with a large crowd in attendance: Sanhedrin Members, scribes, Roman Guard, Women, perhaps a couple of disciples, his own mother, and curious onlookers…
He actually died in front of witnesses and government authorities who certified his death on the spot.
Jesus was declared DOA.
Jesus was buried in a nearby tomb owned by a prominent and wealthy citizen. This citizen was also said to be a member of the Sanhedrin, or the council of Jewish elders…the ruling authority. He was one of the elders.
Because it was the tomb of a well known wealthy man, and because it was relatively new, it was probably easily recognizable.
The normal number of soldiers posted at a watch would have been 12-16, three to four soldiers for each of four watches. Are we to believe they all slept at the same time? When to not be on watch meant their deaths…
The last place we should expect the story of Jesus’ resurrection to be accepted would be in the very town where he had been executed.
There were more than enough witnesses to the entire event. Remember: it was a public event!
Under “normal circumstances” we would have expected “his disciples” to “immediately withdraw from Jerusalem,” to seek “safe space,” regroup later, and proclaim his resurrection from another location.
That did not happen.
The resurrection was proclaimed in the “same city” as his death.
The disciples did not flee…although they were in hiding.
As a matter of fact, they remained in the city after-the-fact and continued to teach and preach there.
Christianity actually begins with “great success” in a city where “any curious person” could walk over and examine Jesus’ tomb.
Eye witnesses were numerous!
Jesus was seen alive in a resurrected body on at least 12 separate occasions by more than 500 witnesses including at least a couple of skeptics.
The resurrection best explains why Jesus’ disciples were “transformed” from “fearful flee-rs” to “faithful followers” who endured “great persecution and martyrdom” for their faith.
Even Jewish leaders and skeptics converted to Christianity.
The resurrection of Jesus also explains the sudden rise and expansion of Christianity even though he had been crucified by the Romans as a “political traitor” and declared a “religious heretic” by the Jewish religious leaders.
The religious “powers of the day” were not able to answer even the most inflammatory public statements made by his disciples.
The worst they ever did – was to arrest some of the disciples, jail them briefly, instruct them to stop preaching their message and then released them back into the public arena.
The story is steeped in bribes, scandal, treachery, denial, betrayal, innuendo and false testimony and still the story stands…the test of time. Christ is Risen, he is Risen indeed! Alleluia!