A group of 30 New Testament scholars in 1985 sought to determine the "authentic Jesus" through their research and collaboration. They concluded that only 18% of Jesus' words and 16% of his deeds reported in the Gospels could be considered authentic. The document then discusses the Gospel accounts of Jesus' burial and resurrection, focusing on the rolling away of the stone from his tomb. It argues that the stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out, but to let witnesses in to see that he had risen from the dead, as foretold.

1. The Essential Jesus as
Revealed in the Gospel of Mark

2. Began in 1985 with
30 NewTestament
scholars with a
purpose of finding
the “authentic
Jesus”

3. And the result of
their “research” and
collaboration?
Only 18% of the
words of Jesus and
16% of His deeds
are authentic.

4. “The tales of entombment
and resurrection are
latter day wishful
thinking. Instead, Jesus’ corpse went
the way of all abandoned criminals’
bodies: it was probably barely covered
with dirt, vulnerable to the wild dogs
that roamed the wasteland of the
execution grounds.” (Jesus Seminar
co-founder, John Dominic Crossan)

5. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 15:46-47
And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and
taking him down, wrapped him in the
linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that
had been cut out of the rock. And he
rolled a stone against the entrance of the
tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the
mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

6. The Essential Jesus as
Revealed in the Gospel of Mark

7. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 16:1
When the Sabbath was past, Mary
Magdalene, Mary the mother of James,
and Salome bought spices, so that they
might go and anoint him.

8. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 16:2-3
And very early on the first day of the
week, when the sun had risen, they went
to the tomb. And they were saying to one
another, “Who will roll away the stone
for us from the entrance of the tomb?”

10. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 16:4
And looking up, they saw that the stone
had been rolled back—it was very large.

11. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Matthew 27:2-3
And behold, there was a great
earthquake, for an angel of the Lord
descended from heaven and came and
rolled back the stone and sat on it. His
appearance was like lightning, and his
clothing white as snow.

12. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
The stone was moved not to allow
Jesus out but to allow witnesses in!

13. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
John 20:19
On the evening of that day, the first day
of the week, the doors being locked
where the disciples were for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood among
them…

14. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
John 20:26
Eight days later, his disciples were inside
again, andThomas was with
them. Although the doors were locked,
Jesus came and stood among them…

15. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
The stone was moved not to allow
Jesus out but to allow witnesses in!

16. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Matthew 27:2-3
And behold, there was a great
earthquake, for an angel of the Lord
descended from heaven and came and
rolled back the stone and sat on it. His
appearance was like lightning, and his
clothing white as snow.

17. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Matthew 27:4
And for fear of him the guards trembled
and became like dead men.

18. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 16:5
And entering the tomb,
The stone was moved not to allow
Jesus out but to allow witnesses in!

19. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 16:5
And entering the tomb,they saw a
young man sitting on the right
side, dressed in a white robe, and they
were alarmed.

20. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 14:33
And he took with him Peter and James
and John, and began to be greatly
distressed and troubled.

21. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 16:6
And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed.
You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was
crucified. He has risen; he is not here.
See the place where they laid him.”
The stone was moved not to allow
Jesus out but to allow witnesses in!

22. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 16:7
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter
that he is going before you to Galilee.
There you will see him, just as he told
you.”

23. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
At the conclusion of the Last Supper
Jesus had told his disciples . . .
Mark 14:28
But after I am raised up, I will go before
you to Galilee.

24. TheTragicTriumph of the Cross
Mark 16:8
And they went out and fled from the
tomb, for trembling and astonishment
had seized them, and they said nothing
to anyone, for they were afraid.

26. Today’sTakeaway
The stone was moved not to allow
Jesus out but to allow witnesses in!

27. Today’sTakeaway
Mark 16:15
And he said to them, “Go into all the
world and proclaim the gospel to the
whole creation.”

28. The glorious reality of
Easter is that 2000
years ago, Jesus the
Christ, battered,
bloodied, and finally
nailed to a cross on
which he died … is no
longer dead! He was
raised from the dead
by God the Father,
God almighty!

29. Today’sTakeaway
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory? O death,
where is your sting?” The sting of death is
sin, and the power of sin is the law. But
thanks be to God, who gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

30. Today’sTakeaway
This victory over sin and
death began with a blood
soaked cross and ended
with an empty tomb!