The crucifixion of Jesus was well documented not only in the Bible, but also by historians such as Titus Flavius Josephus. Josephus was born in 37 A.D. shortly after the crucifixion, however, he was alive as the disciple started sharing the Way. Historical documents attributed to Josephus mention Jesus as an historical figure who was able to perform many surprising feats, was crucified, and that there were followers of Jesus who were still in existence at the time of its writing. And that they, the followers of Jesus, reported that he had appeared to them after his crucifixion and that he was alive.
Also, the Romans were experts in inflicting pain and certainly knew the difference between someone barely alive and a dead person. They knew how to torture Jesus to the point of near death with just enough life left in him to face crucifixion. Also there were guards posted at the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea that had been borrowed for the few days of Jesus' interment.
The risen Jesus was seen by hundreds of people and broke bread with his disciples. He walked for several miles with two followers on the Road to Emmaus sharing with them that the scriptures were written about the coming and suffering of the Messiah. A question asked through the ages is why so many people had difficulty recognizing the risen Jesus at first. Perhaps this was because the rational mind could not compute or perhaps it was akin to the blindness that Jesus has/had pronounced on Israel.
To me, one of the greatest indications that Jesus rose from the dead is the behavior of His disciples after the resurrection. 1 Peter 1:16, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." With the possible exception of John, the disciples ran likes scared rabbits after Jesus was arrested. After the resurrection and the coming of the Comforter these same men went about fearless spreading the Gospel. All but John were martyred, however, he was tortured and imprisoned.
On the road to Damascus, Saul had a vision of Jesus and shortly thereafter became an apostle. Not only had he seen the risen Christ, but it has been suggested that he spent three years in the Arabian Desert being tutored by Jesus. A brief vision or a three-year discipleship, either way, Paul became a warrior for the risen Christ and, in large measure, we Gentiles owe our faith to this tenacious man. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
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