Explain like I'm stupid: If the Resurrection actually happened (details) -- ?

Question

If the Resurrection actually happened, and Jesus had a message for the world that this would be a confirmation of, then _why_ did he only appear before his disciples, whose testimony was bound to be dismissed as biased?

Use short words and simple sentences, please. Remember, I'm stupid.

Seriously. Why not appear, say, in a blaze of light over the Temple?

Then at least one contemporary historian might have thought it worth writing down.

Hat tip:

http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/

Answer 1

lmao I love you maryann.. for that matter, why didn't anybody write in a diary ANYWHERE about all of those people who got up out of their graves and walked around town?? not ONE account of it outside that ONE in the bible... to me, THAT would've been noteworthy

Answer 2

Please remember that the Jewish community in Jerusalem was the very one that had Jesus executed. He was a threat to their political power. He had told them quite plainly who he was and that is what they considered blasphemy. It is for this blasphemous charge that the first century Jewish people handed him over to be crucified. Why would he bother to show himself to people who did not believe in his identity when he was alive?

In addition, it is doubtless whether the Sadducees, the ones who controlled the temple, would have found such a post-resurrection appearance convincing. Also, we know from first century sources and from the New Testament text that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection in the first place. They would have found some way to explain it away.

If you want to read a good book, read N.T. Wright's "Resurrection of the Son of God." He offers a thorough and comprehensive background to the concept of resurrection and its development in the time of Christ. Moreover, he makes some very convincing arguments for why the resurrection is a historic event.

For the record, Jesus did not just appear to the 12 disciples. He also appeared to around 500 people. Paul was able to verify this in 1 Cor. 15. Not only this, but we have indication in the gospels that the guards and even Pilate knew something skeptical happened at the grave, but someone was paid to tell no one. Hmmm.... seems like the people in authority wanted to keep the whole thing hushed.

Also, if you read the gospels, the disciples were not expecting the resurrection. They were very distraught at Jesus' crucifixion and figured that was the end. If you read them critically, they are terrified when he appears to them because it was nowhere on their radar screen. Seems like if the gospels were a story you made up, you would not reveal how much you disbelieved in Jesus' ability to rise again, unless of course you really were not expecting it.

I could go on, but I will stop here. Sorry, if this sounds a little pedantic.

Answer 3

First of all, he would need to appear before people who would recognize him. His picture wouldn't be in the papers or on TV.

Second, the message for the world is a personal message, which requires intimate gatherings. The occasional large gathering while he was alive was because of the enormous interest generated by his teaching and the personal testimonies about him. His message is not a populist message, and isn't a question of 'spin' and such scams.

Third, I don't think evangelical rallies would be his style, because he is not about psychological manipulation, or taking advantage of peoples herd instincts.

Fourth, he wasn't likely to be concerned about the accusation of bias about his disciples, because he had met so much bias from his opponents already. What's a little more going to do to his message?

Finally, a world which will only respond to grand gestures, isn't a world worth saving anyway :)

Answer 4

Honey, it's not you that's stupid. The people who refer to evolution as "just happening by accident," and use the old watchmaker analogy, get very tiresome after awhile. Things happen the way they do due to natural laws, not random events. Certainly, some things are random, or apparently random, or include a random element. But most of nature is cause and effect. The reason things are the way they are does not have to be conscious decision-making or design on the part of a creator. There are other, more reasonable, explanations. Could we just go back to saying that a person who puts forth a proposition should defend it logically and rationally? Then "couldn't have just happened on its own" would be followed by "why not?"

Answer 5

John 21:1-14
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.

He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

I love it. The Bible is such a great book. Job said that only God had the key to Wisdom. It's also written that though it cost you everything you have, get understanding.

Paul said the knowledge that he got was never taught to him by man.

Instead of looking for the answers in religion, look inside yourself and think. That's what God wants. Read the Bible without interpreation or what people have taught you, and be willing to believe. Then the Bible becomes so clear that a child can understand it.

Back to the Scripture above:

Christ died. He told people that it was time for the one that came after him. He would bring you into all truth and understanding. The Holy Spirit can inter any thing or any one all will. In the tomb Mary's mother didn't recognize him (her own son). Later Christ spent days trying to convince them that it was him (did they forget what he looked like). Which brings us to the above passage.

One the bank Jesus said cast your nets over here. The disciples on the boat did and caught fish. Then they recognized the voice. They knew it was him. They had breakfast with him, but the didn't dare ask who he was. But it was already the third time he had appeared to them.

This is good stuff.

Answer 6

How about 500?

1Corinthians 15

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

But then you don't believe the Bible so have a nice day.

Answer 7

Christ actually stayed around for 40 days after his resurrection. He showed himself to more than his disciples. Thing is, only certain people wrote those books of the Bible.

By the way, he did appear as a burning bush in the old testament--all you atheists do is make fun of that too.

Answer 8

The resurrection happens after the Battle of Armmaeggeden.
The meek ones will have a new heaven and new earth,
Study the book of Revelation.
For moreinformation go to www.watchtower.org

Answer 9

People still wouldn't believe.

The miracles the Israelites witnessed in the exodus did not convince them.

Yahshua says a wicked generation seeks for a sign.

Its a matter of the heart those who will believe will believe and those who do not wish to believe wouldn't beleive if Yahshua visited them and told them to straighten up. Its human nature.

Answer 10

Well, when He was alive on Earth He performed many miracles and no one believed. So, who would believe again? Besides, He wanted the disciples and His followers to be the ones to spread the word and the news, not Himself. That is why He chose them. Thanks for the question and have a great day!!

Answer 11

He did appear to many who had faith, over 500....
Cornthians 15
4 And that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Why didn't he appear to others, because it wouldn't do them any good, they still would not believe.....
Luke 16
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.