| What Became of the Disciples of Jesus? First of all, the disciples did not expect Jesus to rise from the dead. Jesus had told them over and over again that He would die and three days later rise from the grave, but they did not understand Him. Once Jesus died, the disciples were eleven fearful men, hiding, running for their lives. Their leader was dead and their dreams were shattered. Yet, within several days after the resurrection this same group became bold, courageous, and visionary. What caused such a great change? It was not because they had seen an empty tomb. It was because they had seen Christ alive from the dead! What would the disciples have to gain by fabricating a story about Christ’s resurrection? Let me tell you what they gained. All but one died a martyrs’ death. Some were beheaded, others were crucified, stoned, hanged, burned... all to their deaths, because they claimed that Jesus was alive and offered forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Here is a list of what became of the eleven apostles and some of the early Christian leaders because they held on to the declaration that Christ has risen: Andrew was crucified on a cross. Barnabas was stoned to death by Jews. Bartholomew was beaten to death with clubs. James, brother of Jesus was stoned. James the Less was thrown from a pinnacle of the temple and beaten. John died of natural causes. Jude was crucified. Luke was hanged on an olive tree. Mark was dragged through the streets by his feet and then burned to death. Matthias was stoned and beheaded. Matthew was killed by the sword. Paul was beheaded. Peter was scourged and crucified upside down. Philip was scourged and crucified. Simon was crucified. Thomas was thrust through with a spear. James, son of Zebedee was killed by the sword. Thaddaeus was killed by arrows. If this story of the resurrection were a lie, they would have known it was a lie. For them to live a lie is certainly inconsistent with what we know about their moral lives. The apostles, Peter and Paul, sealed their witnesses with their blood. No man would be willing to die unless he knew he had the truth. It is true that a lot of people have died for a lie, but only when they believed it to be the truth. People do not die for a lie that they know it is a lie. If the disciples did lie, they were deliberately deceiving the whole world, but this certainly is not in line with their teachings and writings in Scripture or with the moral conduct they were telling people to live by. They taught honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. One reason for the spread of Christianity in the first century, was the pure, honest, sincere and truthful behavior of the disciples. The whole message of Christ is to love one another, to be kind, and to speak the truth. Could they have been living a colossal lie? No, they had seen the risen Christ! Their lives were radically changed! And they went to the world to tell the "Good News" of Christ’s Love for each person; of His Death as their substitute, of His Resurrection that conquered death, and that HE WAS and IS NOW ALIVE! He stands ready to give life. He is THE WAY and THE TRUTH and THE LIFE to ALL who trust in Him! - Author Unknown |
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