He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”
(Luke 24:6-7)
The women returned to tell the disciples what had happened but they did not believe them. However, Peter believed the women and he got up and ran straight to the tomb. He saw the strips of linen by themselves and he went away wondering to himself what had happened. Women’s evidence was not accept in Roman or Jewish courts, therefore, as the women went and told the disciples and Peter saw for himself that the stone was rolled away it is unlikely that this account of the Resurrection could not have been made up.
Another piece of evidence is when Jesus appeared to the two disciples after he was resurrected. The story begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus and as they were walking, Jesus joined them but they did not recognise him. Then the disciples began a conversation with Jesus about how Jesus was a powerful prophet, how he had been killed by the Jews, how they had hoped that he was the Messiah, how the women had found the tomb empty and that the angels had said that Jesus was alive:
“He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.”
(Luke 24:19)
Then Jesus explained,
“How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
(Luke 24:25-27)
The disciples then persuaded Jesus to stay for a meal and when it was time to eat, Jesus broke the bread and blessed it. Consequently, the disciples quickly recognised that this man was Jesus and so Jesus disappeared. The disciples returned to Jerusalem and told the other disciples what they had just seen.
As evidence builds up towards the end, there is a gradual recognition that Jesus resurrected.
Another piece of evidence is when Jesus appeared to the disciples in the Upper Room. The disciples were talking to each other about Jesus and then Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” The disciples were frightened, thinking that they saw a ghost. Then Jesus said:
Look at my hands and my feet, it is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.
(Luke 24:39)
Jesus then asked for some food to eat and therefore, the disciples gave him some broiled fish. He ate it in their presence and demonstrated that his body was real and not that of a ghost as he could be touched and eat. He then said,
“This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
(Luke 24:44)
Also, in the Ascension, Jesus led his disciples out of Bethany and then he was taken up into heaven. A cloud hid Jesus and two angels said:
This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.
(Acts 1:11)
Then the disciples returned to Jerusalem filled with joy and glee.
