Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in their Gospel accounts, and also Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:4, independently attest of Jesus' burial.  Mark and Paul provide the earliest accounts which are likely eyewitness accounts.

The four Gospels provide the detail of Joseph of Arimathea as the one who made sure Jesus had a dignified burial.  Because Joseph was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin that condemned Jesus, the Gospel writers would not have fabricated this. 

Furthermore, if the burial by Joseph had been fabricated, we could expect to hear other fabrications or even other true descriptions of what actually did happen to Jesus' dead body.  There are none.

The credible fact of Jesus' burial is highly significant because this means the burial site location was known to both Christians and unbelieving Jews.  William Lane Craig well notes, "With this being the case, it is a very short inference to the historicity of the empty tomb." 

HIS-STORY OF THE EMPTY TOMB 

If Jesus had not bodily risen while His burial site was known:  (1) the disciples could never have believed in the resurrection, and (2) Jewish authorities could have easily dispelled the resurrection.

Also, the fact of the empty tomb is attested by the same multiple independent early sources as for the burial of Jesus. 

The four Gospels provide the detail of the women who first discovered the empty tomb.  Because Jewish women were not highly regarded (could not even testify in a Jewish court of law), the Gospel writers would not have fabricated this. 

Matthew describes the guarding of Jesus' tomb and the subsequent attempt of the Jewish officials to claim Jesus' body had been stolen.  William Lane Craig well notes, "Thus, the early opponents of the Christians themselves bear witness of the fact of the empty tomb!"

HIS-STORY OF JESUS' APPEARANCES

It is vital to know that the empty tomb was not the source of the early disciples' faith in the risen Christ.  Their faith was in the risen Christ Himself!

The empty tomb actually threw the disciples for a loop.  Mary Magdalene ran to tell Peter, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him" (John 20:2).  After Peter and John inspected the empty tomb for themselves, John 20:9-10 reveal that they did not express excitement "for as yet they did not know the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead, and the disciples went away again to their own homes."

However, an encounter with the risen Lord changes everything!

The women who first witnessed the empty tomb testified of their risen Lord after He appeared to them (Matthew 28:9, John 20:18).  Thomas' doubts melted away after the risen Lord lovingly invited Thomas to touch His scars (John 20:28).

A key part of Paul's gospel presentation in 1 Corinthians 15:5-7) notes the eyewitnesses of the risen Christ, including Peter, the first disciples, 500+ other disciples, and Jesus' younger brother James.  Luke and John corroborate Peter and the first disciples as eyewitnesses.

HIS-STORY OF THE DISCIPLES' RESPONSE

After these appearances of the risen Christ, the original disciples had a profound hope and confidence that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. 

For you see, Jews did not believe in a dying Messiah.  Furthermore, Jews believed only in a general resurrection at the end of the world.  Also, Jewish law required a man who was executed as a criminal to be deemed a heretic.

Yet, these first disciples believed in Jesus and were willing to lay their own lives down based on the reality of the resurrection of their Lord!

CLOSING

All of this historical evidence is wonderful.  However, this evidence is not the miracle.  William Lane Craig keenly notes, " The resurrection of Jesus is the best, and a miraculous, explanation of the evidence!" 

There are adamant critics who do not disagree with the four verifiable, historical facts presented in this Rest Stop, and yet they still deny the resurrection because of their unbelief in a supernatural God. 

The historical reality of the resurrection has become a personal historical reality to me.  Christianity is not about living morally according to Christian principles.  Christianity is Christ! 

The risen Christ has given me life -- His very life!  Because of His resurrection, you and I can have profound joy and purpose for living.

He is risen!  He is risen indeed!