Evidence for the Resurrection of Yeshua (Part 1)

According to most historical scholars, the likely reliable date for the crucifixion of Yeshua of Nazareth--more commonly known to us in the Gentile world as Jesus Christ--is 27 AD.  I bring this up simply for a frame of reference; the next several posts dealing with this issue of the Resurrection will be in relation to this date.

Women Reporters of an Empty Tomb

The Biblical accounts tell us that the tomb was found to be empty three days later (indeed, even skeptical scholars, i.e. non-believers, agree that the tomb was found empty).  That would mean that the Resurrection of Yeshua is also dated 27 AD.  What is interesting, and supportive of the authenticity of the Biblical accounts, is that the condition of an empty tomb is first reported by women.  

It was Mary Magdelene, the former prostitute, and several other women that went that first Sunday morning at daybreak to anoint the body (they probably were going to do this because of the hasty burial at which they didn't have time to fully do the body properly). When they discovered the stone had already been rolled away, Mary went and told the men.  Since women were not equivalent citizens in that culture, the fact that the Bible reports this is fascinating; Luke's account--taken from other eye-witnesses, not Luke's own experience--even mentions that the men didn't even believe her, but that Peter and John, two of the closest insiders to Yeshua did believe and bolted to the tomb to see.  

That the Bible reports womens' testimony 1) shows that this is most likely the actual history and 2) Christianity was the first to accept women equally as dignified and prestigious as men.

Part 2 will be about more eye-witness testimony...come back tomorrow!