An Alternate Take On The Resurrection Story

I'm going to play...well, not really devil's advocate but rather an alternate read on the resurrection story and Paul's encounter with Jesus based on what the gospels tell us elsewhere.

The gospels tell us Jesus could make miraculous physical healings of cripples, people with leprosy, hemorrhages of blood, blindness, even people who were apparently dead and showing no vital signs.

The gospels also tell us on at least three occasions Jesus was able to "cloud the minds" ala the Shadow so those near him couldn't see or recognize him:

• When he sent the demons into the herd of swine

• On the road to Ephasus after the crucifixion

• In the upper room after the door was bolted.

(Yeah, a lot of people believe he materialized but I think he just blocked the disciples from seeing him until he felt ready to reveal himself)

I won't count Peter not recognizing from the fishing boat because distance may explain that.

So...Jesus is on the cross, dying from a severe beating followed by crucifixion. The Roman guards come to break the legs of the other prisoners to speed their deaths.

So Jesus clouds their minds, gets them to see him as dead already.

But these are Romans, they want to make sure, so they jab him with a spear. It's a fatal wound...

...but Jesus uses his healing power on himself, staunching the flow of blood.

They cut him down. He plays possum, not wanting to tip the Romans he's still alive. They place him in a tomb where he spends the next 72 hours healing himself and wondering what his next steps should be.

Remember Satan and Jesus both knew he could turn stone to bread if he so desired, and he had already turned water to wine. He wasn't worried about starving or dying of thirst.

Either an earthquake happens or some supernatural event frees him from the tomb. The Marys encounter him but don't recognize him at first (at least in one account; possibly more mind clouding?). Now physically recovered, he hides himself from humanity (in particular the Roman portion of same), revealing himself in a very guarded manner to those closest to him.

In the end of the resurrection story, 750 people were present to see him ascend into the heavens. Whether he actually did or they thought they did isn't germane to my thesis.

What if Christ, after telling his followers he was leaving them, actually stayed around secretly to keep an eye on things?

When Saul encounters Jesus on the road, those traveling with him heard the conversation but didn't see Jesus. What if Jesus was literally physically there, just blocked from most people's view?

Paul might actually have spent time with Jesus when he was going through his period of prayer and meditation before starting his own ministry. It's not impossible he could have literally met Jesus in the flesh at that point.

© Buzz Dixon