Why can Christians believe in the Resurrection? Part 1

As Christians, why can we believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? When a non-believer comes up to us and gives us a reason that we cannot believe in the Resurrection, what will we say to them? Non-Christians often try to come up with any reason—logical or not—to get out of believing in the Bible. One of the theories says that Jesus did not rise from the dead but that he only swooned—passed out—on the cross and never actually died. Not only does this theory sound ridiculous, but it is impossible based on facts.

For one, when the Roman soldiers stuck a spear into Jesus' side when he hung on the cross, they punctured his heart. We know this is fact because it is recorded that blood, and water, flowed out of the wound. (John 19:34) It was not discovered until some time after Jesus' resurrection that water does indeed surround the heart. In the days of Jesus, this bit of anatomy was entirely unknown, and there would be no reason for John to lie about water coming out of the wound if  he did not even know about water surrounding the heart. Therefore, both blood and water came out of the hole in Jesus' side, indicating that his heart was punctured. He had died.

In addition, the Bible says that Jesus had been beaten beyond recognition as a man. (Isaiah 52:14) A man from the gawking crowd had to carry his cross for him because he was so weak. If this was the case, how would Jesus who would then be nailed hands and feet to a wooden beam, and hand for three hours with a crown of thorns thrust into his skin, suddenly become strong enough without food, water, or medical attention to "wake up" in three days and roll aside the massive stone put over the entrance to the tomb and walk out. He would not be able to walk, much less unwrap himself from the burial cloths, move the stone, AND scare the guards so badly that they fled on likely penalty of death! It is impossible. He had died.

I hope that you can see and understand a little bit better why this idea is impossible. Jesus died. There is no other option. He died and remained in the tomb. On the third day he rose from the dead with the power given to him by his Father. Angels rolled away the stone. Jesus died and defeated the power of death. He is risen, hallelujah!

I hope that you feel a little better equipped to explain why it is impossible that Jesus only passed out. Coming tomorrow is another post refuting a second theory about Jesus' resurrection.