Easter Sunday [C]

John 20:1-9

April 17, 2022

Jesus has risen! Alleluia! This is the foundation of our faith and our salvation. We know for sure that what Jesus said and what He did for us are true. Death is conquered, and the darkness’ power is decisively defeated.

But, what is the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection? The answer is the empty tomb.

Yet, how do we know for sure that Jesus has indeed risen from the dead? Is an empty tomb enough evidence for His resurrection? Is there a possibility that Jesus’ body was stolen, or Jesus was still alive and was able to escape? Let’s check whether these arguments can hold water.

Firstly, His disciples came at night and stole their master’s body. Then they spread the rumor that Jesus has risen from the dead. At first, this sounds possible, but after closer examinations, we realize that Roman soldiers guarded the tomb. A bunch of fishermen was not just a match for the professional army. At the same time, the disciples were in complete disarray after their master was captured and crucified.

Secondly, the one crucified was not Jesus, which is a case of mistaken identity. This argument is not attainable. Judah played an essential role in ensuring that the one arrested was Jesus, not someone else. Jesus’ trial was done in public, and thus, it was easy to recognize whether the person was Jesus. Plus, the mother and other disciples of Jesus were also present during the crucifixion, and they recognized the one on the cross was Jesus.

Thirdly, Jesus was not dead, and He was able to find His way out of the tomb. This argument is implausible. Jesus was tortured severely and crucified. A soldier pierced His side to verify His death, which alone could deal a mortal blow. Just in case Jesus survived all these ordeals, the tomb would seal Jesus inside, and without proper ventilation and immediate treatment, Jesus would suffocate and die.

Aside from these counterarguments, had Jesus’ resurrection been a lie, it would eventually die down. Many Jewish people believed in the resurrection of the dead, but it will occur at the end of time, not during their lifetime. The Greeks and the Romans thought the idea of resurrection silly. Yet, Jesus’ disciples would gladly die for this truth. Even after horrific forms of torture, they would not give up their belief in the resurrection because it is simply the truth.

Another interesting detail is that the first witnesses of the empty tomb are women. In ancient Jewish society, women’s testimony was not honored. The evangelists could have altered the women’s witnesses with more credible male counterparts. Yet, they did not do that because they could not change the truth that the women were indeed the witnesses of the empty tomb.

There is no other fitting explanation than the resurrection. Jesus has risen, and our faith is not in vain. We have been redeemed, and we know that is true. We rejoice and celebrate for this Jesus’ victory over death.
Blessed Easter!!!

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP