Family of God Lutheran Church     ELCA

The Sunday after Easter always has the same Gospel reading—when Thomas refused to believe Jesus was raised from the dead until Jesus appeared to him and offered to let him touch his wounds from the cross. Though Thomas has the nickname “Doubting Thomas,” he’s really not a bad guy. In fact, he’s a lot like you and me.

Could Jesus really be raised from the dead? In a criminal case, the jury has to conclude the person on trial is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil trial, the burden of proof has not so high a bar. The accused can only be called guilty if the preponderance of evidence shows that the claim is true. In other words, more likely than not the claim is true. That’s quite a difference.

If Jesus is risen from the dead, can we back the claim beyond a reasonable doubt? Or the other way around—can we say the witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection were lying beyond a reasonable doubt? Or is it more likely than not that the disciples were lying? What do you think?

Where is the body? It apparently was never found. A bunch of his disciples and others saw him raised, and Thomas was convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Jesus lives. Some of the major theories are that Jesus’ body was stolen by the disciples and reburied somewhere else. Or a little tougher to believe is that he did not really die on the cross, but was taken down and revived and lived for a bit longer so he could appear to his disciples. Do you find either of these assertions true beyond a reasonable doubt or most likely true?

Unless you can find a body, there will always be a lack of evidence that he really died and was not raised. And that’s the core problem—the remains of Jesus have never been found. So at best can it be claimed that more than likely the disciples were lying? After all, such a claim breaks the laws of nature.

In other words, in court it is probably a hung jury, and at best it can be said that more likely than not his body was stolen and reburied. 

What do you think? 

We can never prove that Jesus is raised. We have the testimony of the witnesses, and that is all. But many Christians throughout the ages have somehow experienced the presence  of God or of Jesus. And this testimony carries as much weight as the disciples themselves. Have you ever experienced the presence of God, or Jesus?

Doubting Thomas was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus lives. Legend and post Biblical writings suggest Thomas was chosen to travel to India to preach the good news of the risen Christ, and was martyred there for his faith. Why would someone give his/her life for a lie?

Christ is risen! Hallelujah!