LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Essay 3
Submitted to Dr. Colombo,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
Apol 220- D10
Introduction to Apologetics
by
Tanisha Muong
December 8th, 2020
It is understandable for a believer or non-believer to doubt the resurrection. To think
about a man being fully God and fully man, and coming back to life after a brutal beating, is
unfathomable. The Bible is more than a book filled with laws, wisdom, and stories, it is a book
of historical events. It is filled with eyewitnesses and people got to witness the resurrection. For
Christianity, the resurrection is the foundation for their faith. If Jesus did not rise from the grave,
then sin and death would have not been defeated. Satan would have claimed the victory. But
because the resurrection did happen, Christians have the victory over death and sin and get to
spend eternal life with God in heaven. Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies in the Old Testament as
the Messiah. Matthew 28:18 says that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to
me.” Jesus has dominion over sin and death (Romans 6:14). If he did not resurrect after being
crucified, then he would have been seen as a false prophet. Kenneth Samples says that Jesus’
resurrection turned Jesus’ crucifixion into a divine atonement. Christians have the belief that
because Jesus sacrificed his life for them, they are no longer defined by their sin or past- Jesus
paid the ultimate price for sin. Colossians 3:3 says that “We, Christians, are hidden in Christ.”
Christians are made new because of what Jesus did for them.
Matthew was one of Jesus’ disciples that got to witness his ministry. Matthew 27:57-61
talks about the burial of Jesus. When Jesus was put in the grave, there were Roman guards
around his tomb. Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ disciples watched his body be laid in Joseph’s
tomb. After Jesus rose from the grave, his clothes were folded and neatly laid where he laid,
evidence that it was not people who tried to rob Jesus’ body. The tomb was too heavy and was
sealed, for anyone to get away with stealing Jesus’ body, considering there were Roman guards
there as well.
Back in biblical times, women were sometimes marginalized. So no author would have
chosen to put women as a witness, Mary, unless it was true. John 20:11-18 says that Jesus
appeared to Mary Magdalene. There were two angels seated where Jesus’ body was laid- which
is a representation of the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant represented God’s
presence. Jesus appeared to her and Mary did not recognize him because she thought he was the
gardener, since Jesus was supposed to be dead. She was teary-eyed from sobbing and it being
early in the morning must have had an impact on her vision as well. Jesus was filthy, after being
brutally beaten- he was bloody and wounded. He literally became sin for us, so we could be the
righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). But, Mary did help take Jesus’ crucified body to the
cross. Pastor Robert Morris’ sermon about Dominion, he mentions that Jesus had to look
different because he was carrying the weight of our sin. Mary clung to Jesus when she
recognized his voice when he said her name. Jesus told her to let go because he had to go to the
father, and then he told her to go tell the disciples.
The disciples did not recognize Jesus as well when Jesus joined them walking on their
journey. In John 20:19-31, Jesus showed his disciples his scars, not once, but twice. Pastor
Morris also mentions that Jesus told Mary not to touch her, then the following evening he told
the disciples to touch him and touch his scars. Morris mentions there had to be something that
happened on resurrection day, where the disciples are now able to touch him when that morning
he told Mary not to touch him. His wounds were proof of his identity because they just had seen
him be beaten to death. Leonard J. Vander See says that his scars prove that Jesus’ work was
finished. “The scars on Good Friday are visible on Easter Sunday.” Hebrews 9:12 says “He did
not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for
all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” He had gone to see His father on
judgment day and obtained eternal redemption. He takes the dominion back from Satan, who got
it when Adam and Eve sinned.
Jesus told his disciples in John 14 that he will go on this trial, be crucified, and resurrect.
He said that he needed to go prepare a place for them (a mansion) before they can have a
relationship with God, but he will be coming back to them. John 14:29 says “I have told you now
before it happens, so that it does happen you will believe.” Jesus knows this will happen but is
telling them this so they know that they can be assured that he is the ultimate Messiah. John
16:20 says “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will
grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” He knows that they will be sorrowful but will rejoice
when he resurrects. Matthew 27:53 mentions how bodies came to life when Jesus was
resurrected.
Daniel 7 is a vision from Daniel and predicts the coming of Christ. He talks about the
ancient of days, which he refers to God the Father. Daniel 7:9 and 11 says “Thrones were set in
place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his
head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze… I
kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed into the blazing fire. ” This is what
it looked like when Jesus had mentioned he was going to see the father. There were four beasts
destroyed, with their dominion being taken away (Satan included) and what was also destroyed
was sin. Daniel 7:13 says “son of man, coming with the cloud of heaven.” The cloud of heaven is
referred to the Old Testament saints that he took with him that day as he ascended. It continues
to say in verse 14 that he was given authority, glory, and sovereign power.. His kingdom is one
that will never be destroyed.” Morris mentions that the judge looked at the saints on one side,
satan on one side, and he looks at the bloody body of Jesus and says that saints have victory.
Jesus has all authority and power, and he gives that to his followers. In John 14, he
promises and sends them the Holy Spirit, the advocate, to be with us as Christians. Christians can
have the same authority and power to do miracles, just as Jesus did (John 14:12).
Bibliography
Magazines, J. (n.d.). Who Are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Retrieved December 11,
2020, from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2007/01/who-are-matthew-
mark-luke-and-john?lang=eng
Samples, K. (n.d.). Read. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from
https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/reflections/read/reflections/2018/03/27/a-dozen-
evidences-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus
Zee, L. J. (n.d.). He Showed Them His Wounds. Retrieved from
https://www.reformedworship.org/article/december-2012/he-showed-them-his-wounds
