The sad realization is that for many people, being an eyewitness to the resurrection would not have made a difference for them. Sometimes there are things that we value more than the truth. How about the soldiers who guarded the tomb? They witnessed the resurrection—at least they knew that the disciples did not come and steal the body of Jesus. Yet, despite being present at the resurrection, they were persuaded to unbelief with money. And then there are the High Priest and the religious officials. They heard not only the testimony of the disciples, but they heard the testimony of their own soldiers. And because of their desire for power, control, and authority, they squandered the testimony of the soldiers and lied on their behalf. Being an eyewitness does not always mean that you are persuaded to believe.
An overview reading of Israel’s history will attest to this. Exodus and Numbers shares the details of how after 430 years of slavery, God miraculously delivered them from the clutches of the Pharaoh by the ten plagues. God led them across the Red Sea and devoured their pursuers in the water. God was visible by the cloud of smoke during the day and the pillar of fire at night. God’s glory was seen at Mt. Sinai and His power was seen when Korah and his family rebelled and the earth opened up and swallowed them (Numbers 16). They had signs. They had tangible examples. Yet, they still had trouble believing. They disobeyed; they grumbled; they complained; they rejected God; they even planned to return to the bondage and slavery in Egypt. Yes, being an eyewitness does not always mean that you are persuaded to believe.
More on this later. Blessings-