History, Hallucination or Hoax?

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life … we declare to you so that you may have fellowship with us … 1 John 1:1-4

Did the resurrection of Jesus Christ actually occur? Or, is the resurrection just an imaginary story?

The apostle Paul writes that all Christianity hinges on the reality of the resurrection. If the resurrection did not occur, Christians of all people are to be pitied, we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15).

The emptiness of the limestone tomb and the deflated linen grave clothes ignite a fledgling faith in the beloved disciple (the apostle John) that his Lord was living (John 20:3-10).

Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb in sorrow and tears. She does not recognize Jesus by sight until Jesus speaks her name (John 20:16). In Mary’s case, the auditory sense clears away the cobwebs of grief.

I recall attending an high school reunion at which I recognized an old friend, not at first by sight, but by his voice. Then I recognized him by sight.

That first Sunday evening Jesus appears to the disciples regardless of the doors being locked. The disciple Thomas, however, is not with them. The text does not say why Thomas is absent. Perhaps withdrawal is Thomas’ way of grieving.

John 20:20 does say that the disciples recognize Jesus by sight when Jesus shows them his hands and side. The disciples rejoice and Jesus blesses them with peace.

Then the disciples tell Thomas that they have seen the Lord. Thomas famously replies, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

A week later Jesus appears to the disciples again (again with the doors locked). But this time Thomas is present.

Jesus says to Thomas, “Put your fingers here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe (John 20:27).

Thomas responds to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

Doubting Thomas comes to faith in the risen Jesus’ Lordship and Deity through touch.

Among the many resurrection appearances over the forty days between the resurrection and the ascension, John’s gospel also relates the account of Jesus appearance along the shore of Lake Tiberius (the Sea of Galilee).

It is daybreak along the shore. Jesus has built a coal fire and is grilling fish. The disciples have caught nothing all night (John 21:1-14).

However, when Jesus tells them to cast their nets, the disciples are unable to haul in the large catch of fish. That is when they recognize Jesus.

Peter swims to shore. All of us can feel the chill of the water and morning air. As we read John’s account, we can smell the charcoal hanging on our clothes. We can taste the fish as the disciples eat breakfast with Jesus.

This is no imaginary narrative. The resurrection appearances are replete with all of our senses confirming the concrete historical reality that Jesus is alive.

An hallucination is not marked by the multitude of witnesses with such diverse experiences. The multitude of witnesses could not have maintained an hoax.

The brute fact of the crucifixion is met by the undeniable fact of Jesus’ resurrection.

We cannot overestimate the significance of Jesus’ resurrection. John writes so that you and I might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:31).

For the follower of Jesus, our sins are forgiven, paid for by Jesus’ death on the cross at Calvary. Temptation’s power has been broken as we surrender to the risen Jesus’ Lordship in fellowship with other believers. And our joy is made complete as we continue the mission of handing down the truth of the only God who died for our sins and rose again to defeat death.