Evidence #1 for Resurrection: Transformation of the Disciples

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
—Acts 4:13

This month we are looking at some simple answers to sincere questions about Easter. First, we answered the question, “What’s the big deal about Easter? Why is the resurrection so important?”

Now, there’s a second question you may have. You say, “I understand why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is important. But how do I know it really happened? How do I know it wasn’t just a myth tacked on to make a good story better about the life of Christ?”

In his book The Case for Christ, journalist Lee Strobel interviews historian and philosopher Dr. J. P. Moreland. Lee Strobel sat down with Dr. Moreland and asked him, “As a historian and a philosopher, can you share with me what are the five greatest evidences for the resurrection?”

Dr. Moreland said, “First of all, you have to consider the transformation of the disciples.” Think about this. By Good Friday, when Christ was crucified, almost all of Jesus’ apostles had deserted him. They had scurried away like rats off a sinking ship. They did not want to be accused along with the Lord. They did not want to suffer His same fate, so they deserted Him.

Yet three days later these timid, cowardly disciples were transformed into courageous, bold defenders of the Christian faith who were willing to give their lives for the truth of Jesus Christ. Now, how do you account for that overnight transformation? You say, “Well, the world is filled with people who will die a martyr’s death for a cause that is a lie.” That’s true. Many people do. But nobody willingly dies for a lie that they know is a lie. The fanatics who are dying martyrs’ deaths, even though their cause is based on a lie, they honestly believe it is the truth. But Jesus’ disciples were willing to die for the truth because they knew it was truth. The reason they died for the Lord Jesus Christ is they had seen the resurrected Christ themselves. That’s what transformed them. That’s why Paul describes the resurrected Christ appearing to the disciples in 1 Corinthians 15.

One of the greatest evidences for the resurrection is the transformation of the disciples.

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “Simple Answers to Sincere Questions,” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2011.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.