Your Verdict on the Empty Tomb

By: Travis Tyler

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith. It hinge belief that distinguishes Christianity from other religions. But is there any proof that the resurrection actually happened? Can we trust the accounts of the apostles who witnessed it? In his book, "Your Verdict on the Empty Tomb," Val Grieve explores the evidence for the resurrection and invites readers to make their verdict. Let's look at some of the proofs that Grieve presents.

Firstly, Grieve argues that the empty tomb itself is proof of the resurrection. The tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers, and the stone was sealed. It would have been impossible for anyone to move the stone and steal the body without being detected. Yet, on the third day, the tomb was empty. Grieve writes, "The tomb was empty on that first Easter morning, and it has remained empty ever since. The fact of the empty tomb is a powerful witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Lee Strobel, a former atheist and journalist, set out to investigate the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ  after his wife became a Christian.  Strobel  investigated the evidence for the empty tomb, including the fact that the tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers. He found that the evidence for the empty tomb was strong, and he was convinced that it could not be explained away as a misunderstanding or a theft.

Lee Strobel Said, "The evidence for Jesus' resurrection is so strong that nobody would question it except for two things: First, it is a very unusual event. And second, if you believe it happened, you have to change the way you live."

Secondly, Grieve points to the testimony of the women who first discovered the empty tomb. In the ancient world, the testimony of women was not considered reliable, yet the gospel writers record that it was women who first saw the risen Jesus. This detail adds credibility to the accounts, as it is unlikely that the gospel writers would invent such a detail. As Grieve writes, "The fact that the gospel writers recorded the testimony of women, despite the cultural bias against them, indicates that they were recording what actually happened."

Thirdly, Grieve argues that the transformation of the disciples is proof of the resurrection. Before the crucifixion, the disciples were fearful and scattered. Yet, after the resurrection, they were bold and unafraid, even in the face of persecution and death. Grieve writes, "Something happened to the disciples after the crucifixion that transformed them from fearful and defeated men into bold and courageous witnesses. The most plausible explanation for this transformation is that they had encountered the risen Jesus."

Strobel says, "The transformation of the disciples from fearful and disillusioned to bold and courageous witnesses is strong evidence that they truly believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. This transformation is inexplicable apart from the reality of the resurrection."

Fourthly, Grieve points to the fact that the early church believed in the resurrection. The church was founded on the belief that Jesus had risen from the dead, and this belief was central to the Christian faith. Grieve writes, "The early church was built on the conviction that Jesus had risen from the dead. This belief was not the result of wishful thinking or delusion, but of the convincing evidence that Jesus had indeed risen."