The opening verses of Hebrews 11 make it clear that our faith is in what we cannot see. The author of Hebrews uses creation to draw out the point. We did not see God create the world, but yet it is here and so we can see him through what has been made (cf. Rom. 1). Similarly we cannot see God, except in the person of Jesus Christ (cf. John 1). We cannot see Jesus as he has ascended to heaven from where he came (cf. Acts 1).

But just as we did not see God create the world, there is ample evidence around us to believe that it was in fact created. And just as we cannot see that Jesus death, burial, and resurrection…there is ample evidence to show us that it took place.

This week is Easter week. Tomorrow is Good Friday, the day that Jesus died. Today is Maundy Thursday. The day that Jesus gave the disciples the new command to love one another (the latin words for new command are mandatum novum, hence Maundy Thursday). Tonight is the night that Jesus was betrayed, arrested, tried by night 3 times before Annas and Caiaphas. Tomorrow is the day he was tried another three times before Herod, Pilate, and Herod. Found innocent and yet condemned to death he died in our place. And Sunday we will celebrate his resurrection from the dead. He is risen, he is risen indeed!

But are we asked to believe that blindly? I think the answer is no, Scripture gives abundant witness to his resurrection. Sunday morning we will look at 4 witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus in 1 Cor. 15.

But today I want us to see 7 proofs of the resurrection from John 20.

Divine Patience

Before we do, let’s look at Jesus tender patience with us as we struggle to believe what only God can do.

At the end of John 20 all of the disciples have seen Jesus since his resurrection, except Thomas. Thomas declared to the other apostles that he would not believe in the resurrection until he was able to put his hands in Jesus wounds to ensure that it was truly him.

What does Jesus do? He patiently presents himself to Thomas and allows him to see and touch the wounds. The result was Thomas belief. Jesus did pronounce blessing upon those who believe without seeing, but his kindness towards Thomas…and us…should not be lost on us here.

Proofs of the Resurrection

I won’t elaborate on the proofs here, but I would encourage you to read John 20.

#1-Peter and John. These two disciples saw the empty tomb.

#2-The two angels. These two angels appeared in testimony to the Resurrection.

#3-Jesus himself. Jesus was the one who presented himself to Mary and told her that he had risen.

#4-The Burial cloths. These were not removed from the body but were left inside the tomb where they were having been simply emptied at Jesus resurrection.

#5-The face cloth. This was a small cloth used to cover the face, but we don’t really know why. Rather than being left where it was, Jesus carefully folded it and put it off to the other side of the tomb.

#6-The apostles except Thomas. Jesus revealed himself to the remaining apostles.

#7-Thomas. Even doubting Thomas received the necessary proof of life to trust in Jesus.

May you believe in the Resurrected Christ this Easter, for …

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” —John 20:29