The Empty Tomb

The most available piece of evidence for the resurrection is the empty tomb. The body of Jesus has never been discovered in over two thousand years. That is a historical fact. So, what happened to it?

We are told in Matthew 28:5–6, “The angel said to the woman, do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here, for He is risen, just as He said.” Why didn’t the woman find Jesus’s body?

Could they have gone to the wrong tomb? Well, if they went to the wrong tomb, then Peter and John and all the Apostles did too. Now, wouldn’t you think at that point Joseph of Arimathea, who was the owner of the tomb, would say, “Here is the tomb that I loaned for Jesus to be buried in.” It is not credible to say that the woman went to the wrong tomb.

Another story was told: the Apostles stole the body of Jesus. This would have been difficult, for Matthew 27:65 tells us that Pilate set a guard of 16 soldiers to secure Jesus's grave. Along with the guard, they sealed the grave with a large stone rolled into a cut slot. The stone weighed tons. They went to great lengths to ensure that some of the body would not be moved so no one could claim that a resurrection had occurred.

But friends, we are told, ‘He is risen!’ There were also over 500 witnesses. “He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then the 12. After that, He appeared to more than 500 brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now.” (1 Corinthians 15:5–6) These eyewitness accounts confirmed the reality of Christ’s resurrection.

Also, the apostles were transferred from cowards to courageous witnesses of Jesus and defenders of the Christian faith for one reason only: They saw and touched the risen Christ. When you add up all this evidence and much more, the only answer is that Christ has risen, just as he has said!

Have you received him as your Savior? If not, do so today! If you have, share the Good News, “He is risen!”