Paul presented a masterful case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 15. As his first argument (under inspiration, of course), Paul set forth the simplest evidence, yet the hardest to argue against—Christ was seen by man following His death. “He was seen by Cephas…the twelve… over five hundred at once…James…all the apostles…by [Paul] also” (1 Cor. 15:5-8).
Men may attempt (unsuccessfully) to discredit the reality of Christ’s resurrection, but the overabundance of EYE witnesses is too strong to dismiss. The gospel accounts emphasize repeatedly that Jesus was seen by men to be alive following His death. How strong is the evidence?
When Jesus’ body was buried, the women “saw the tomb and how His body was laid” (Luke 23:55). When the women returned to the tomb on Sunday, “they saw that the stone had been rolled away…They saw a young man clothed…” (Mark 16:4-5). The women were told, “See the place where they laid Him” (Mark 16:6). At the tomb, Peter and John “saw the linen clothes…the handkerchief” (John 20:5-8). In the next chapter, when the disciples had breakfast, “they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread” (John 21:9). Later, “Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus loved” (21:20).
Review what was seen after the resurrection of Jesus: the tomb, the stone, the young man, the clothes, the fire, fish, bread and other men. This truth is so simple—they saw these things (as affirmed in Scripture) and not many a man would argue that they saw these things.
Now, the same word is used specifically of seeing Jesus Himself. Mary Magdalene “saw Jesus standing there” (John 20:14), and later the disciples “saw Him” (Matt. 28:17). Jesus “showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord” (John 20:20). He told them, “Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have” (Luke 24:39). The disciples told Thomas, “‘We have seen the Lord.’ So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails…I will not believe’” (John 20:25). When Jesus appeared to Thomas, He said, “Look at My hands…Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (20:27).
Peter later wrote that they were “eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16). And, I’m so glad they were!