Since the first Easter morning, there have been two main lines of argument against the fact of the Resurrection. The first we hear in today’s Gospel reading (Mt 28:8-15): the disciples of Jesus stole his body from the tomb. As Matthew notes, this accusation was very common in the early days of Christianity. The second argument has been more common over the past 100 years: that the disciples had only a “spiritual” encounter with Christ after his death. Jesus did not rise in the flesh, but instead God confirmed his preaching and life by having the disciples have an “experience” of him while on earth.

In response, the testimony of the Church in regard to the Resurrection has always had two core components: (1) the empty tomb; and (2) the appearances of the Risen Christ.

And both of these components are necessary. If there were just an empty tomb, then the accusation that the disciples stole the body would have merit. And if the disciples just claimed to see Christ after his death, then it is quite possible that these were just visions, either heaven-sent or created in the mind, but either way no proof that Christ had truly risen from the dead.

But combined, they are powerful evidence for the reality of the Resurrection. If you read any of the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection, notice that they always emphasize these two parts of the Easter story, for they show us that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. Allelujah!

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