Proving the Resurrection

For two millennium, Christians have celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ at approximately the same time each year. Some call it Easter; some call it Resurrection Sunday. Many non-Christians and atheists scorn our belief and put us in the same category as believing in the tooth fairy and Easter bunny. Although I did believe in Santa Clause as a child, I put away childish things.

I did, however, retain my belief in Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Without His resurrection, He would have been in the same category as all the dead spiritual leaders and philosophers of the past such as Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius and Aristotle. They are all dead. Without the Resurrection, Christians might as well believe in the tooth fairy. Twenty-four years ago, I picked up a book by Josh McDowell called Answers to Tough Questions. One of the questions that Josh addressed was the validity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To summarize his answer, he said something to the fact that there are people in all religions who would die for what they think is truth. This is evident today with the homicidal bombers who believe that 72 virgins wait for them in paradise. The fact is, only a crazed-minded person would die for something that he knew was false. All the apostles saw, spoke with, and even ate with Jesus Christ after his resurrection and were witnesses and testified to his miraculous rising from the dead after three days in the tomb following His crucifixion. All but the apostle John and the betrayer, Judas, suffered a variety of torturous deaths for their faith and yet did not waiver from their testimony. It would mean that over the period of the next 30 to 40 years in various locations in the world, these apostles were put to death for what they believed and saw with their own eyes. One could say that it would be possible for one or two to be delirious and make up this incredible story but to have ten apostles and countless disciples die for what would have been a lie is even more preposterous.

Considering Josh’s answer, my husband once said that if our house caught on fire, and that he knew that our children were trapped inside, he would break down doors and windows and rush through fiery flames to rescue our children without worry of his own safety. However, if he saw that the children were safe and standing on the opposite street corner and a stranger said your children are inside your home and you need to save them, going into the flames would not even be a consideration. That is the difference between believing a lie and believing what you know is absolute truth.

Thank you, Jesus, that because you rose from the dead someday I will to.

If you would like more inspiration this blessed Easter Sunday, be sure to follow Spiritual Sundays, hosted by Charlotte and Ginger. The button is on my sidebar or click here.