How Many Witnesses?

Has the world’s way of celebrating Easter taken our minds off the overwhelming evidence for the resurrection, and its meaning for us?How Many Witnesses? How many witnesses are needed to prove that something really took place? During a murder trial in New Jersey about 10 years ago, the defendant was able to produce two witnesses who said he was somewhere else when the murder was committed. When the prosecuting attorney pointed out that the two witnesses were friends of the accused, their testimony was discounted. However, when the defense attorney brought forth eight more witnesses who testified that he was not at the scene of the crime, and none of them were his friends, the grand jury quickly dismissed the charges. Why? Because the number of reliable witnesses was compelling evidence. In about 56 AD, some people in Corinth began questioning the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the very foundation of Christianity. To stop these detractors and encourage those who believed Jesus was truly the Son of God, the Apostle Paul entered into a courtroom-like argument. His purpose was twofold: to prove not only the historical fact, but also the present and future value of Jesus’ resurrection from among the dead. He began his defense like any good attorney - by reminding his listeners of the main points of his case for the resurrection: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures ... He was buried ... He rose again” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). He then refuted those who questioned the Resurrection by bringing forth witnesses who actually saw Jesus alive after His death and burial. He began with those closest to Jesus: “He was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve” (1 Cor. 15:5). But knowing that witnesses such as these might be discounted because they were Jesus’ friends, Paul presented evidence that was impossible to disregard: “He was seen by over 500 brethren at once” (1 Cor. 15:6). Just think of it - over 500 eyewitnesses testifying that Jesus Christ rose from the dead! Has the world’s way of celebrating Easter - egg hunts, chocolate bunnies, new clothes and big meals - taken our minds off this overwhelming evidence for the Resurrection, and its meaning for us? And just what is its meaning? According to the Bible, if we accept Christ as our Savior, then His victory over sin and death becomes ours as well: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22). What should our response be? Consider saying something like this: “Lord Jesus, I have let the world crowd out the true meaning of Easter. I now see that Your resurrection from the dead is proof that You are the Son of God who died for my sins. I accept you as my Savior and say with all those who were eyewitnesses of your resurrection, ‘Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’” (1 Cor. 15:57). By Larry Ondrejack