The Miracles of Jesus : index to episode 3
Episode 3
The Meaning of the Resurrection
The meaning and impact of the most amazing miracle of all …
Chapter 1 Introduction; recap of previous programmes and crucifixion
Chapter 2 What happened to Jesus after his death?
Chapter 3 Evidence for the burial of Jesus – the bent nail
Chapter 4 Where was Jesus buried?
Chapter 5 Some resurrection appearances and the empty tomb
Chapter 6 What did the resurrection mean to the first disciples? Pentecost
Chapter 7 Saul of Tarsus – St Paul
Chapter 8 The implications of Jesus’ resurrection first century Jews
Chapter 9 The persecution of the early Christians
Chapter 10 Jesus, Son of God?
As with the previous programmes, which looked at the significance of the miracles rather than questioning whether they happened or not. Programme 3 examines the meaning of the resurrection for the disciples and early Christians. After some early uncertainties, the disciples were left in no doubt about the resurrection. It was the empty tomb and the encounters they had with the risen Jesus which convinced them. Then the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost vindicated Jesus as Son of God in their eyes.
For some people, the variation in the Gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus shows they are more likely to be based on fact. If the writers had invented them, they argue, they would have arranged for the accounts to be the same. Because the resurrection is reported in all four Gospels, students can compare the different accounts and their probable sources.
Mark's Gospel, as probably the earliest and the most likely source for much of the material in Matthew and Luke, describes how women were the first witnesses to the resurrection. Women were not allowed to witness in court at the time. If Mark had invented the story, a man such as Joseph of Arimathea would have been a more credible witness in the culture of the time. Instead, one of the women Mark introduces is Mary Magdalene.
According to Luke 8, she was once possessed by demons hardly the witness one would choose to give credibility to a fabricated story. It is possible that Mark got his account from Peter, as suggested by the programme, though his information could also have come from Barnabas, whom Mark accompanied on his missionary travels.
For the disciples, and for Christians ever since, belief in the resurrection as an historical event dramatically shifts the perspective on the death of Jesus from one of tragedy to a moment of victory over all that threatens us and opposes God's good purposes.
Miracles of Jesus
Part 3 The Resurrection
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