Death and resurrection of the Messiah
The Death
The crucifixion and death of Jesus are historically undisputed facts. His crucifixion, as well as the rapid spread of Christianity in the early church, are attested to in both biblical and extrabiblical historical sources, including historians Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliny the Younger. Some details about the life and death of Jesus can also be found in the Jewish Talmud.
Details such as the darkness at the time of the crucifixion were recorded by the historian Thallus in the year 52 AD. (Note: Thallus' work has been lost, but he was quoted by Julius Africanus around the year 221.)
No one has ever survived a fully carried-out crucifixion—solely the Roman scourging was so cruel that many condemned individuals died here already. Crucifixion was such a cruel execution that this sentence was forbidden for Roman citizens. The Roman lawyer Marcus Tullius Cicero accused the governor Gaius Verres because he had a Roman citizen arrested and crucified. In the hearing, Cicero describes the procedure of crucifixion and accuses him of the incredible offense of hanging a Roman citizen on the cross. (Marcus Tullius Cicero: "Speeches Against Verres")
The Resurrection
If we acknowledge the death of Jesus as a fact, the question of His resurrection still remains. The Gospels of the Injil report both the empty tomb and the appearance of the resurrected Messiah. The proclamation of Jesus' resurrection could easily have been exposed as a lie if His body had still been in the grave; especially since He was buried in the tomb of a well-known man (i.e., Joseph of Arimathea; Matthew 27:57).
It is noteworthy that the Jewish leadership did not point to the body in the grave but claimed that the sealed and guarded tomb had been emptied by Jesus' disciples—the same ones who had fled in fear at His arrest. (Matthew 28:11-15)
Furthermore, there were numerous eyewitnesses who encountered the risen Jesus:
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas [i.e., Peter], then to the Twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep." - 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
If the resurrection of Jesus truly happened, it has immense significance. He Himself repeatedly predicted His death and resurrection. If He had been a blasphemer and sinner, God would never have raised Him from the dead, for in doing so, He confirmed His claim to be the Son of God and equal to Him. The death and resurrection of the Messiah are the foundation for the worldwide spread of Christianity.
The Most Important Question
The most important question in this context you must answer yourself. For now, it's no longer about arguments and discussions. If the reports of the Injil are correct—if Jesus truly rose from the dead and is the Son of God—what does that mean for you?
