1. A Public Execution Assured His Death
On a hill outside of Jerusalem, Jesus was crucified between two criminals. To ensure death, Roman soldiers thrust a spear into His side.
2. A High-ranking Official Secured the Gravesite
Pilate ordered the official seal of Rome to be attached to the tomb and had soldiers stand guard.
3. In Spite of Guards, the Grave Was Found Empty
Some of Jesus’ followers went to His grave. They found the huge stone over the entrance to the tomb was moved, and Jesus’ body was gone.
4. Many People Claimed To Have Seen Him Alive
The apostle Paul wrote that the resurrected Christ had been seen by Peter, the 12 apostles, more than 500 people, James, and Paul himself (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)
5. His Apostles Were Dramatically Changed
They became zealous in their determination to sacrifice everything for their Savior and Lord. After they were beaten for disobeying the Jewish council, these once-cowardly apostles “never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:42)
6. Witnesses Were Willing To Die for Their Claims
They died for their claim that Jesus Christ had died for their sins and had risen bodily from the dead to show that He was like no other spiritual leader who had ever lived.
7. Jewish Believers Changed Their Day of Worship
Jewish followers of Christ began worshipping with Gentile believers on a new day. The first day of the week, the day on which Christ had risen from the dead, replaced the Sabbath.
8. Although It Was Unexpected, It Was Clearly Predicted
The disciples must first have thought Christ was speaking in symbolic language when he kept saying that it was necessary for Him to die and be resurrected from the dead. Coming from Obe who spoke in parables, they missed the obvious until it was all over.
9. It Was a Fitting Climax to a Miraculous Life
During His 3-year ministry, Jesus walked on water, restored crippled limbs, cast out demons, and raised the dead. All this being true, we shouldn’t be surprised that His enemies didn’t have the last
word.
10. It Fits the Experience of Those Who Trust Him
The apostle Paul’s heart was dramatically changed by the resurrected Christ. It’s the experience of people all over the world who have died to their old ways, and now Christ lives His life through them.
By Trail Marker
On a hill outside of Jerusalem, Jesus was crucified between two criminals. To ensure death, Roman soldiers thrust a spear into His side.
2. A High-ranking Official Secured the Gravesite
Pilate ordered the official seal of Rome to be attached to the tomb and had soldiers stand guard.
3. In Spite of Guards, the Grave Was Found Empty
Some of Jesus’ followers went to His grave. They found the huge stone over the entrance to the tomb was moved, and Jesus’ body was gone.
4. Many People Claimed To Have Seen Him Alive
The apostle Paul wrote that the resurrected Christ had been seen by Peter, the 12 apostles, more than 500 people, James, and Paul himself (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)
5. His Apostles Were Dramatically Changed
They became zealous in their determination to sacrifice everything for their Savior and Lord. After they were beaten for disobeying the Jewish council, these once-cowardly apostles “never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:42)
6. Witnesses Were Willing To Die for Their Claims
They died for their claim that Jesus Christ had died for their sins and had risen bodily from the dead to show that He was like no other spiritual leader who had ever lived.
7. Jewish Believers Changed Their Day of Worship
Jewish followers of Christ began worshipping with Gentile believers on a new day. The first day of the week, the day on which Christ had risen from the dead, replaced the Sabbath.
8. Although It Was Unexpected, It Was Clearly Predicted
The disciples must first have thought Christ was speaking in symbolic language when he kept saying that it was necessary for Him to die and be resurrected from the dead. Coming from Obe who spoke in parables, they missed the obvious until it was all over.
9. It Was a Fitting Climax to a Miraculous Life
During His 3-year ministry, Jesus walked on water, restored crippled limbs, cast out demons, and raised the dead. All this being true, we shouldn’t be surprised that His enemies didn’t have the last
word.
10. It Fits the Experience of Those Who Trust Him
The apostle Paul’s heart was dramatically changed by the resurrected Christ. It’s the experience of people all over the world who have died to their old ways, and now Christ lives His life through them.
By Trail Marker
