Easter Apologetics?

You might think Easter is an odd time to talk about apologetics, but it’s really not. 

“Apologetics,” of course, is taken from the Greek word “apologia” which means “a defense” or “answer”.  Jesus used evidence in defense of His statement He would raise Himself from the dead (John 2:18-22).  Actually apologetics, presenting evidence, was important to both Jesus’ ministry in general and specifically to His resurrection.

During His ministry, Jesus showed He could forgive sins by presenting evidence:

Matthew 9:4-7 (ESV)
⁴  But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?  ⁵  For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?  ⁶  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”  ⁷  And he rose and went home.

It was the evidence that helped people believe Jesus was just Who He said He was.  Performing miracles demonstrated He had authority to forgive sins.  So, what about the resurrection of Jesus?  Well, there is actually quite a bit of evidence.

In Luke chapter 24, Jesus appeared to His disciples (except for Thomas).  When they were afraid and thought He was a ghost, but Jesus showed them evidence that He was risen:

In the story of the encounter of two disciples and the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus, Jesus actually had to supernaturally prevent the disciples from recognizing Him (Luke 24:16) so He could teach them about His resurrection.  After He was finished, their eyes were opened, they recognized that Jesus was alive again and sitting with them.  Then He vanished from their sight. (Luke 24:16)

Later in that same chapter, Jesus shows Himself to the disciples, but they didn’t think it was Jesus but a spirit:

Luke 24:38-43 (ESV)
³⁸  And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?   ³⁹  See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”   ⁴⁰  And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
⁴¹  And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”   ⁴²  They gave him a piece of broiled fish,  ⁴³  and he took it and ate before them.

Jesus offered His raised body for examination.  When the disciples still didn’t believe, He ate something as additional evidence.  I’d like to give Thomas a plug here.  We have branded Thomas as “Doubting Thomas” as though he were the only one who doubted. It’s clear from this passage that all the other disciples doubted Jesus’ resurrection at first just as Thomas did.

Later in John 20:27, Jesus showed Himself to Thomas and went even further to prove He had risen:

John 20:27 (ESV)
²⁷  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

Again, Jesus offered His physical body for examination.  He left no stone unturned to prove it was He and in the same body that died on the cross.

Jesus’ best known disciple, Peter, tells us these things weren’t made up but really took place, giving eyewitness testimony:

2 Peter 1:16 (ESV)
¹⁶  For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection, let us remember we serve a risen Savior Who wanted to leave no doubt in our minds, Who displayed the evidence for His followers to see (1 Cor 15:3-9), and that His followers testified to what they saw.  Let me close with the words of Jesus’ beloved disciple, John, testifying to the truth of it all:

1 John 1:1-4 (ESV)
¹  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ²  the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— ³  that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.