1 IN DEFENSE OF THE RESURRECTION 1. My first piece of evidence to consider is the physical effects of the scourging of Jesus. Roman scourging was carried out with a flagrum, a short whip with several leather strips that were embedded with pieces of metal and glass. The victim was tied to a post with his back exposed. Roman soldiers were trained on how to administer the beating. The whipping consisted of 39 lashes. Each lash was pulled across the back to shred it until the skeletal structure was exposed. Jesus was so badly beaten that a man by the name of Simon the Cyrene actually had to carry his cross to the crucifixion ground. It would be impossible that Jesus could have survived this and the crucifixion. Even if he did, he would not have been able to survive 3 days without food or water in the tomb. Rather, he would have been in need of immediate and comprehensive medical attention. 2. The second piece of evidence is the Roman law and procedures of crucifixion.
2 Roman procedures of crucifixion were designed to insure the person would definitely expired. Roman authority was on display. And they forbid any mistakes that would undermine this display of power. Roman law even laid the death penalty on any soldier who let a prisoner escape. Also to fail in the crucifixion of a criminal would have been punishable by death. Furthermore, no historical documents have ever been found recording a failed Roman crucifixion. The fact that the Roman soldier did not break Jesus legs like the other two criminals means the soldier was convinced Jesus was dead. 3. The third piece of evidence was Jesus pierces side.
3 Because of Jesus scourging, his body would have been draining of blood while he hung on the cross. To breathe, Jesus would have had to raise himself up and therefore, scraping his beaten back on the wood of the cross. Thus, opening the wounds from the scourging even more. Because of the lack of blood, he would not have been able to get the necessary oxygen. His heart would have then beaten harder and faster to compensate for the lack of oxygen. And finally the heart actually ruptures. At this point, the chest cavity fills with fluid. And when the soldier pierced Jesus side, water and blood flowed signifying the heart was not beating. He was dead! 4. The fourth piece of evidence is the winding sheets around Jesus body at his burial. Jesus body was wrapped in linen cloth. The body would have been completely enshrouded in these winding sheets. The winding was done very tightly. o It was very difficult for the wrapped person to remove the strips by themselves. When a man named Lazarus was raised from the dead just days before Jesus crucifixion, he had to be unbound by his family and friends. This proves the difficulty of the enshrouded person being able to unwrap himself. Jesus winding sheets were left in the tomb with no evidence of struggle. Even the face cloth was set apart and neatly folded. Clearly, when Jesus rose from the dead, he easily slipped through the linen sheets.
4 5. The fifth piece of evidence is the Roman guards that were stationed at the tomb to prevent someone from stealing the body. Q: How were the Roman guards posted at the tomb overpowered by a man who had been scourged and hung on a cross, lying in a tomb for three days without food and water? I think my question speaks for itself when we consider these battle hardened Roman soldiers would have been executed if they were overpowered by a shell of a man escaping from the tomb. 6. The sixth piece of evidence is the great stone rolled in front of the tomb. The stones used to close the mouth of the tombs were 1 ½ to 2 tons in weight.
5 o The weight of a midsize car. They were so heavy they were moved in front of the door to a tomb by levers. When we think about a man who is so beaten and has been unconscious for three days trying to move a Toyota Camry sized stone, we can see the impossibility. 7. The seventh and final piece of evidence is the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. After he rose from the dead, Jesus was seen near the tomb, on the road to Emmaus, in Jerusalem, at the Sea of Galilee and on the Mount of Olives. The Biblical record states that he appeared to more than 500 at the same time. In none of these sightings is it recorded that he even remotely appeared as a staggering halfdead man in need of medical attention. His disciples staked their very lives on their belief he had victoriously rose from the dead. By way of summary, the Swoon theory is simply not plausible in light of the evidence. I believe that even a nonbeliever, if they would examine the evidence without bias, would conclude that Jesus indeed did rise from the dead. And if he did rise, than he is who he said he was The Son of God who came to seek and save lost people. That he died on the cross for the wrongs we have done. And through faith in him anyone can have a right relationship with God and enter into eternal life. Your honor, this concludes my case.