We live in a time when proof is needed to validate that something is right or wronged. We live in a society that demands proof. How often have you heard someone say, "prove it." Many people have lost their lives trying to prove a point.
In the legal world, there is a term that is commonly used and it is called "the burden of proof." In a legal dispute, one party has the burden of proof to show that they are correct, while the other party has no such burden and is presumed to be correct. The burden of proof requires a party to produce evidence to establish the truth of facts needed to satisfy all the required legal elements of the dispute.
The burden of proof is usually on the person who brings a claim in a dispute. The necessity of proof always lies with the person who lays charges. In criminal cases the burden of proof is on the prosecutor and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. In a civil lawsuit, the plaintiff bears the burden of proof that the defendant's action or inaction caused injury to the plaintiff.
Proof has always been and will continue to be the acceptable process. Time does not change the relevance of proof. Proof is still needed to persuade others when arguing a point.
Even today, people are demanding proof that Jesus rose from the dead. Even doubting Thomas after the disciples told him that Jesus had risen from the dead, had problems believing: "One of the disciples, Thomas, "The Twin," was not there at the time with the others. When they kept telling him, 'We have seen the Lord,' he replied, 'I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands - and put my fingers into them - and place my hand into his side'" (John 20:24-25). Thomas required physical proof which is the best evidence for more than circumstantial.
The resurrection has been under attack, from the day Jesus left the tomb until present. Matthew tells us that the soldiers reported His resurrection to the authorities and they advised them, "Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught" (Matthew 28:13-15). This was the great cover-up in Scripture. The Scripture does not say as they were told, but it says, "as they were taught." Which implied that they rehearsed the lie until they felt safe enough to repeat it as a TRUTH.
There are those who still seek to explain the resurrection as a purely subjective experience of the disciples. Though this took place over 2,000 years ago, it is still the centerpiece of Christianity. Time does not dissolve a truth. Jesus told the disciples about His death and His resurrection. Listen as Luke foretells His death: "Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, 'Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again'" (Luke 18:31-33).
The disciples didn't understand any of it, just as today there are those who hear the Word, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). But believe me as the old saying goes, "the proof is in the pudding." The proof for the sinner will be realized as he or she is cast into the lake of eternal fire.
Scripture gives us ample "Proof of the Resurrection:"
THE FIRST PROOF: The women came to Jesus' tomb on the first day of the week, to anoint Jesus' body with spices they had prepared. To their surprise they realized that the stone was rolled away from the door of the tomb and Jesus was not in it. Let me remind you, and keep in mind, they were not expecting what they found. I am pretty sure that while they were en route to the tomb, they probably wondered, how were they going to get into the tomb. Their hindrances didn't stop them from making an effort. Their faith and love for Jesus led them to see an improbable situation. Some of us when confronted with an improbable situation will give up before even making an effort.
Faith will remove stones that you couldn't have never imagine. These women walked by faith. If they had followed the logic of their eyesight, they would not have gone to the tomb, because the stone at the door would have kept them home, but because they went, they became the first proof that a resurrection had taken place.
When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of Jesus. Two men in shining garments suddenly stood beside them and said, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again. Then they remembered his words" (Luke 24:4-8). The proof is in the pudding!
THE SECOND PROOF: The stone was not a mere rock. It was shaped and sealed for one to get in and nothing to get out. But Scripture reminds us that, "And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled the boulder back and sat upon it" (Matthew 28:2). Why lose time and sleep worrying about those huge boulders in your life that you, by yourself can't move, when all you have to do is let Jesus do your heavy lifting. The stone was not rolled aside for Jesus to get out, but for the women could be proof as eyewitnesses to the greatest miracles of all times. The proof is in the pudding!
THE THIRD PROOF: Jesus' missing body. The guards had been posted and the area was very secure to make sure that His disciples couldn't come to steal Jesus' body. NO grave can hold Jesus. He is the first fruit. Paul says, "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). Jesus is the first fruit of God's harvest, a harvest of living souls that will be raised to life because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, because He lives, being resurrected from the dead, we also will experience resurrection. The proof is in the pudding!
THE FOURTH PROOF: Jesus has risen. "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay" (Matthew 28:5-6).
He conquered death! Death, is humanity's greatest enemy. Jesus was obedient to the Father, even to death. "Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8).
He has ascended to the throne of God. "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9:11). The proof is in the pudding!
What is Jesus doing in heaven sitting at the right hand of God? He makes intercession for those that are His. "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). When we sin, He is our Advocate. He pleads our case before the Father, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). He is actively preparing for our heavenly arrival, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 4:1-3).