INTRODUCTION

This is a crime scene in the heart of old Jerusalem, and I’ve come here to examine the evidence. One of the most famous and controversial executions of all time took place near here. 

The perpetrators needed to hide the evidence and cover their tracks. In order to achieve this, a clandestine meeting was quickly arranged. It was a meeting of disparate minds. High-level political leaders in a midnight rendezvous with the powerful elite of the corrupt religious establishment.

In hushed tones they whispered urgently among themselves about the events of the past weekend. The planned murder had gone according to design. The enemy they had marked for death, was dead. Their sinister grab for power, their undercover conspiracy, had succeeded beyond their dreams. Victory seemed assured!  

There was just one final concern. Only one thing spelled the difference between lasting success and crushing defeat. The enemy that had been killed must stay dead and in his grave. Now, it sounds ridiculous. But tomorrow, next year, for the next thousand years…everything hinged on there being a body in the tomb.

Join me as we follow the evidence and investigate one of the greatest conspiracies of all time. 

– Title Block –

NOTEWORTHY FAREWELLS

Throughout history, there has been one thing that is common to everyone who has ever lived: death. Some deaths have been more spectacular than others, some more notable, and some more mysterious. 

Some changed the course of history and made a difference in the world, while most passed relatively unnoticed. Some stand out, either due to the life of the person, or because of the way they died, or something to do with their funeral.

For example, Alexander the Great, who established the powerful Greek Empire that ruled much of the then-known world in the 4th century BC, had the most expensive funeral in history.  

According to the ancient historian Diodorus, in 323 BC, when Alexander died at the age of 32, he was placed in a solid gold sarcophagus, which was then placed in a solid gold casket, which was then carried by a solid gold carriage pulled by 64 mules.  It’s estimated that the cost of Alexander’s funeral exceeded half a billion dollars.

Princess Diana’s funeral was watched by more people than any other person in history.  In 1997, she died in a car accident in Paris at the age of 36. People lined the streets of London to mourn her death and an estimated 2.5 billion people around the world tuned in to watch the live television broadcast of the funeral.

James Doohan, an actor in the film series Star Trek, always wanted to travel into space. So after he died, his ashes were placed in a small urn and flown into space aboard a rocket.

And then there was Genghis Khan. He had the most violent funeral of all time.  The Mongolian warlord who brutally conquered much of Asia throughout his life, was almost as deadly in death.  He wanted to be buried in an unknown and unmarked grave to prevent his enemies from desecrating his remains.  

So, everyone who attended the funeral and everyone along the way, as well as all the soldiers in the funeral procession were killed so that everyone who could have known where Khan was buried were now also dead!

A MORE MODEST AFFAIR

However, the death and funeral that has impacted history and humanity more than any other was anything but epic in the popular understanding of the word. There was no pomp or ceremony or large crowds.  In fact, in a sense it was a rather ordinary affair attended by just a small group of close friends and secret admirers.

But this life and death changed the world forever.  It changed everything.  It literally split history in two. His birth, life and death is pivotal to history. Every time you write a date, every time you celebrate your birthday, you’re using Him as the focal point.  

So, there are certain questions that we need to ask to discover more information about Him. Who is this man, Jesus, whose name is known by nearly every inhabitant on earth over two thousand years later? And what was so unique about his death and funeral that it’s celebrated around the world by billions of people each year?

THE GARDEN TOMB

Well, to find answers, come with me to one of Jerusalem’s most popular tourist sites: the beautiful and peaceful Garden Tomb. Many believe that this tranquil garden just outside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem is where Jesus’ body was laid in a rock-hewn tomb. Here is what the Bible says,

“Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.  At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.  Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”  (John 19:40-42)

Here you can see a tomb cut out of rock, you can see where the rolling stone was located and the traditionally low doorway that leads to the burial chamber. The Garden Tomb fits the Bible description and when you visit here, you can certainly understand why there is a belief that this could be the site of Jesus’ tomb.

Let’s read what the Bible said happened on Sunday morning.

 “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.  Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb  and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.”  (Mark 16:1-6)

Now, the followers of Jesus began to tell the story of the resurrection of Jesus, and they’ve been doing so ever since. The Bible says that Mary shared the amazing news with two disciples, and they also ran to the tomb on Sunday morning and saw that Jesus was not in the tomb. 

There’s no question that on that Sunday morning, both sides had a story to tell – Jesus’ followers who found the tomb empty, and Jesus’ enemies who wanted to ensure His body remained there.  Remember the conspiracy? Everything depended on there being a body in that tomb!

THE PLOT THICKENS

The group of conspirators had plotted to kill their enemy, Jesus. They had hastily arranged an illegal and unjust trial to get the conviction they wanted.  They had seen him die at Calvary. They had seen him taken off the cross and placed in a tomb. But they also knew that He had said he would rise again after three days. This made them very nervous. They hoped He was gone for good, but just to make sure He stayed in that tomb, let’s read what they did. 

“On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,  saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So, the last deception will be worse than the first.”  Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.”  So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.  (Matthew 27:62-65)

So Roman soldiers were sent to guard the tomb to make sure no disciples or followers of Jesus could steal his body. Then to make doubly sure that it couldn’t be secretly opened, they added a seal. This was probably a cord attached to the door and walls, held on by wax and stamped with some kind of signet to indicate authority.

Now, why were Roman soldiers sent to guard a Jewish man’s tomb?   Well, the Roman Empire founded by Augustus Caesar governed all the lands of the Middle East, including Israel and the surrounding Bible Lands in the first century AD. The Empire was built on its military might, and its powerful army was founded on its soldiers.  

Roman soldiers symbolised bravery, strength, loyalty, and honour. The soldiers abided by very strict rules. They were to stand fast and maintain their posts under all circumstances or face harsh punishments or even death. So, what happened to the Roman soldiers who had been set to guard the tomb of Jesus?

Well, notice what the Bible says: 

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.” (Matthew 28:2-4)

The brave Roman soldiers were afraid and became like dead men. What a disaster! The Roman seal on the tomb was broken and the tomb is now empty. Now, remember our original conspirators had to have a story to cover what had happened. Is it believable that the Roman soldiers fell asleep while on guard?

Well, when the soldiers got up they ran to the high priests and there they were given a bribe. The guards had failed to defend the Roman seal placed on Jesus’ tomb. They knew the governor had the right to execute them if nobody intervened. That’s why they went to the Jewish chief priests first. It’s all a messy mix of fascinating drama, political scandal, and conspiracy!

So, out of that turmoil-filled Sunday morning came a story of counter-conspiracy – a double twist in this great controversy in which the men who had orchestrated the killing of Jesus, turned the tables on their enemies and started a propaganda campaign of their own.

The Bible writer, Matthew says, 

“While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.  When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,  telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’   If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”  So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” (Matthew 28:11-15)

So now there were two stories explaining the empty tomb.  One, that Jesus was resurrected and alive; and the other, that his disciples came and stole his body.   Who’s telling the truth? Did Jesus really rise from the dead or was His body stolen and his bones now in some secret hiding place in Israel? 

A KEY TRUTH

Is the entire Christian faith built upon a desperate lie concocted during a weekend of tragedy, and then perpetuated ever since by eleven brave, but broken-hearted disciples and their followers, who faced persecution and death themselves for staying with their story?

The concept of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the dramatic, pivotal pillar of all Christianity. For billions of people, all other truth rests on that single truth. The entire kingdom of God stands or falls on this idea of an empty tomb here in the city of Jerusalem.  

Today billions of men and women around the world believe that the tomb is empty. People everywhere for over two thousand years have staked everything they love, everything they believe in and stand for, on that one great, daring headline: Jesus is Risen from the Dead.

The story of the Resurrection isn’t just Jesus’ story – it’s our story as well.  That’s why we start at the Tomb, because if the tomb is not empty, then there’s no point going on. If the resurrection story is itself a hoax, a conspiracy of some kind, then it’s all just a tragic joke.

The great apostle Paul sensed that the whole of Christianity hinged on the resurrection. In fact, in writing to the men and women of Corinth, he said this: 

“If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ…And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!’ (I Corinthians 15:14-17)

A CRUCIAL QUESTION

Paul puts it right there on the line! If that tomb isn’t empty, he says, then I’m a liar, Christianity itself is a lie, and all our hopes are as dead as the rocks in these hills of Israel.

Everything rests on the answer to this question: Did Jesus come out of that tomb?

Well, let’s think about it. Only Christ the Son of God – in fact, only Christ, who was God Himself – could come out of that tomb. The question of Jesus being divine hinges on the resurrection. The truth of the Bible itself is at stake. If the biggest story in God’s Word, the Bible, is a lie, who cares what the rest of it says?

And if Christ didn’t come out of that tomb, then neither will anybody else. If Jesus is still dead and buried today, then every funeral you ever attend is the end, with no hope for tomorrow. Paul himself says that, 

“If Christ is not risen,….then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” (I Corinthians 15:17,18)

So much rides on what we decide about his one man’s grave! Well, we have looked together into this tomb and it’s empty. It’s easy to visualize the body of Jesus resting on that small ledge through Friday night, through the Sabbath hours, and then early into Sunday morning. 

The same was true for those conspirators and for the force of evil that drove them on. If the tomb had a body in it, victory was theirs. The kingdom of darkness would triumph. But if that Jerusalem gravesite was empty on Sunday morning, their carefully crafted power base would come crashing down with an echo that would not die for millennia to come.

A GREAT CONTROVERSY

There is a Great Controversy being played out in our world. It is the universal conflict between good and evil, between God and His enemy Lucifer, or Satan. And that whole war climaxes over this question of an empty tomb. If it’s empty, God wins. If not, was it a conspiracy?

A sign outside the Garden Tomb contains eight words from Luke 24:6, ‘He is not here, for He is risen!’ I personally think that this is the greatest announcement ever made – if it’s true, that is! Let me say it again, if those eight words are true, then they are the most earth shaking eight words the universe has ever witnessed. 

But the fact still is that the tomb is empty today just as it was that Sunday morning. One question is often raised, Is this the correct place? Is this really Jesus’ tomb?

Well, no one really knows for sure. In fact, there are two locations in Jerusalem that have been suggested that could be the tomb of Jesus. Tourists visit each of them, but neither of those tombs have a body resting in it.

Some Bible scholars believe that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, considered by many to be the most sacred Christian site, is the location where Jesus was crucified and His body laid in a stone tomb. Although this church is now inside the old city walls, at the time of Jesus it would have been outside the city walls.  

But whether one of these two sites is the original tomb really doesn’t matter. Because what is important is not the site but the belief and certainty that Jesus was crucified for our sins, buried in a stone tomb and resurrected on the third day to give us the hope of eternal life.

THE EYEWITNESSES

In considering the conspiracy and all issues surrounding Jesus’ tomb and the resurrection, what about the principal eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus? Did they stick with their belief that Jesus died and that Jesus had risen from the dead, despite the threat of punishment and death? 

Well yes, they did. Now, if it was a conspiracy and the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body and hidden it, it seems impossible that not a single one of them would crack under the pressure and admit to stealing the body.

And then there are the four Gospels, four ancient biographies of Jesus that were written by eyewitnesses or based on eyewitness testimony. All four of them, known as the Gospels, or good news, say that Jesus rose from the dead and that He showed Himself to people that Sunday.

Even the historical evidence shows that the grave was empty.  In keeping with Jewish burial custom, Jesus’ body had been anointed and wrapped in spices by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.  The Bible record says: 

“Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:40) 

And these grave clothes, strips of linen, tell a story and contain important information.  Notice what happens next:  

“Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,  as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.  Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.” (John 20 6-9)

Yes, the grave clothes tell a story.  They contain vital information.  First, the wrappings were there, indicating that the body was not stolen. Any robber would simply pick up the body, wrappings and all, and remove it from the tomb. Especially if they were in danger of being discovered by Roman guards. No thief would take the time to remove the binding. 

Second, the face cloth was neatly folded. This too, is strong evidence that the body wasn’t stolen. What grave robber would take the time to neatly fold a wrapping and set it aside? 

Third, the grave clothes were lying in their original location, like a type of cocoon, demonstrating the supernatural nature of the resurrection. This evidence is inferred by the location of the face cloth, which was no longer with the clothes; and by the fact that Peter and John peered into the tomb and believed. 

If they suspected a robbery it would have been characterized by a dishevelled mess of spices and sticky linen wrappings and binding material.  And it is unlikely that the face wrapping would have been neatly and noticeably placed aside. A mess like that would have alarmed them, rather than amazed them.  When Peter and John saw the grave clothes, the way they were left in the tomb, they instantly believed that Jesus had been resurrected.

But not only is there eyewitness and historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, now there’s also archaeological evidence.

THE ARCHEOLOGY

For over 1800 years, there was no archaeological evidence about this conspiracy until the discovery of the Nazareth Inscription or Nazareth decree. 

The Nazareth Inscription is an imperial decree from Caesar that was inscribed in marble that imposes a death penalty in Israel for anyone caught removing bodies from family tombs, and specifically ‘sepulchre sealing tombs’ like the one Jesus was buried in. 

The inscription was found in Nazareth in 1878 and likely dates to the reign of Emperor Claudius around 41AD – about 10 years after the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.  It seems that the emperor was targeting Christians who spoke about the resurrection and the empty tomb of Jesus. It’s the Roman reaction to the story that the disciples had stolen the body from the tomb.  

Historian Dr. Clyde Billington concludes: 

“The context of the Nazareth Inscription clearly proves that it was written for Jews… and that it was almost certainly issued by Claudius in response to the story of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” 

If so, it’s one of the earliest non-biblical records relating to the resurrection of Jesus.

Further, it proves that the story of the resurrection of Jesus had spread quickly, even to Rome and the palace of Emperor Claudius around 41AD.  In other words, the story of the resurrection of Jesus must have been a story that was circulated by his Apostles themselves.

WEIGHING THE EVIDENCE

Now, after spending time here in Jerusalem examining the evidence of the most controversial and important event in history, there are clear facts that emerge from this evidence that strongly support the reliability of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus.  Here are 9 points to consider:

One: The Jerusalem Factor.  The empty tomb was in Jerusalem, the same place where the first disciples preached about Jesus’ resurrection.  All someone needed to discredit their message and put an end to Christianity was to show the dead body of Jesus.

Two: The claim of Jesus’ Enemies.  The enemies of Jesus said that his body had been stolen.  This is proof that the body of Jesus was no longer in His tomb.

Three: Impossible Conspiracy.  If it was a conspiracy and the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body and hidden it, it is impossible that not a single one of them would crack under the pressure and admit to stealing the body.

Four: The Grave Clothes.  The way the grave clothes were left in the tomb was convincing evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus.

Five: Eyewitnesses.   All of Jesus’ disciples, bar Judas, claimed to see Jesus alive after his crucifixion.  They told the story of the resurrection wherever they went.  They were even prepared to suffer and die for it.  Now, it’s highly unlikely the disciples would die for a claim they had themselves fabricated. You just don’t die for a lie.

Six:  Women Eyewitnesses.  The first witnesses to the resurrection were women.  Sadly, women in ancient Jewish and Roman society were considered unreliable witnesses and were not allowed to testify in court.  Hence, you just wouldn’t invent a story with women as your first and prime witnesses.

Seven:  500 Eyewitnesses.  Paul recounts Jesus’ appearance to 500 people at one time, most of whom were still alive to testify when he was writing, just 22 years later.

Eight: Paul a killer of Christians.  Paul himself met Jesus on the Damascus road while persecuting Christians.  This changed him completely, from ardent opponent of the Christ, to the most zealous disciple of all. 

Nine:  Archaeological Evidence:  The Nazareth Inscription supports the Bible account of the Resurrection.

Now, we must recognise that no amount of evidence will prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Ultimately, we must accept it by faith.  But God in His goodness has provided ample evidence to support our faith.   God brought Jesus back from the dead, proving he’d broken the power of sin and death. There are approximately 2 billion Christians who believe that Jesus is alive today.  2 billion people who have found strength for today and hope for tomorrow – because Jesus is not here, he is risen.

SPECIAL OFFER AND CLOSING PRAYER

If you would like to experience the peace and hope that the resurrected Jesus brings, then I’d like to recommend the free gift we have for all our Incredible Journey viewers today.

It’s the book, Desire of Ages. This book is our gift to you and is absolutely free. I guarantee there are no costs or obligations whatsoever. So, make the most of this wonderful opportunity to receive your free gift today.

– Contact details –

If you’ve enjoyed our journey to Jerusalem in the footsteps of Jesus, and our reflections on the resurrection of Jesus and how it has changed our lives, then be sure to join us again next week, when we will share another of life’s journeys together. Until then, let’s pray to the great God of Heaven.

Dear Heavenly Father. What a privilege to visit Jerusalem and investigate the evidence of the most important event in human history.  Today we want to thank you for Jesus, for His life, death, and resurrection, which gives us strength for today and hope for tomorrow.  Please keep our faith in Jesus strong, and please bless us and our families.  We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Listen to the podcast here