Jesus on trial - a police officer's perspective
Hearing Jesus on talk back radio I listened with intrigue at how some people claim that differing witness accounts from the disciples within the Bible cause them to doubt that the resurrection actually took place.
As an ex-police officer who has served in both Merseyside Police (UK) and Western Australia Police forces, I have dealt with numerous offences including various levels of assault, domestic violence, drug use and supply, burglaries, traffic offences and the list goes on and on. I have also given evidence in lengthy trials within all court classes.
During this time I have gathered evidence from all backgrounds. Some witnesses are forthcoming, some are hostile. But as you arrive at a scene, you are already piecing together the offence and what is needed to prove it before a court. Everyone has different insights, views, feelings and experiences and this makes every statement unique. This is where the officer or detective has the job of piecing together a jigsaw. If the pieces all fit, the charge is complete.
When I read about the resurrection, I see numerous witness accounts and all of them vary from account to account. Not one of them is a mirror image of another. Each disciple witnessed the life of Jesus and their stories align, but they are not identical. The reasoning and understanding of this is pivotal and people need to understand this point.
If anyone is dismissing the resurrection took place because the disciples’ accounts do not match, well, you are simply wrong. The fact that there are differences in accounts actually adds to the strength of the case. If I was taking statements from 4 witnesses and they all saw the same thing, I would be highly suspicious (because of possible collusion). Eye witnesses see an incident, but they all see different aspects of the ‘whole story’. One may hear something that someone else didn’t. There may be 5 statements saying they heard but did not see. Then the 6th statement is presented with an eye witness account saying they saw what happened. Is it just one statement that is considered in court? No, all of the statements are combined to provide the ‘whole incident’. What the disciples provide in the Bible is their eye witness accounts of the life of Jesus, including the most important part of all, the resurrection. The fact some doubt, some are scared, some go into the tomb, some don’t, it all adds to a picture that tells a truthful story. One point they all agree on is that Jesus appeared to the disciples in person on more than one occasion.
In the end, multiple witness statements are gathered and are available to us today. Together they paint a picture of what took place. The evidence in my opinion is flawless.
This blog was written by guest Philip Jeffries (ex-Merseyside Police and WAPOL)
Join the audience to evaluate the evidence for yourself, jesusontrial.org.au
