By Rusty Sieck, Executive Pastor of Ministries
We live in a world that tests the premise and the reliability of everything. We are taught to be suspicious by nature. Just listen to the debates that rage on flat earth theory or that the moon landing was a highly evolved conspiracy by the United States government. It doesn't matter what the topic of discussion, some will debate its reliability. One of the most debated topics for the last 2000 plus years is the resurrection of a man named Jesus.
Many believe that this is just an irrational thought with no solid evidence to back such a claim. I can understand why some might think this to be the case. After all, how many times in our lives have we seen someone get up and walk out of a grave? Yet this is the claim of the Christian faith that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Is this a rational or irrational position to take? I believe it is rational. It was not a claim made by just a few individuals. We know from the scriptures that over 500 people saw Christ after his death and resurrection. Details of these events were recorded by the very eyewitnesses in written form, 30 to 60 years after the resurrection of Christ. I know, you still might say that is only a single source, no outside verification other than the disciples and the followers of Jesus. The evidence we have is not just from the Bible; we read the excerpt from an Arabic manuscript of Josephus that was cited by historian Schlomo Pines of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1972:
"At this time, there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good, and [he] was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Accordingly, he was perhaps the Messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders." (10th Century Arabic Text)
The fact that Jesus rose from the dead is critical to our faith. It was a claim that was not only known to his disciples but also the historians of Jesus' day. I could spend much more time presenting evidence to the resurrection's reliability, but there will still be debate and challenges presented. If you want to look at 15 helpful facts that speak to the reliability of the resurrection of Jesus, check out this article. It is a great article for your children and teens as well. (https://lifeteen.com/blog/15-logical-reasons-to-believe-in-the-resurrection/) When all is said and done, it finally comes down to faith. As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians:
"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 (NIV)
If the resurrection did not take place, then I do not have hope. It is through the miraculous death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that I have hope. My life has been changed forever, not just while I breathe in this life but for the life to come. People often say I just need to see that it's true, see it for myself. Well, I can't see the wind, but I can see its effects. I haven't seen Christ's resurrection, but I can see its effects in my life and the lives of countless others who believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Remember, it takes no more faith to believe in a God who loves us and redeems us than it does to believe in the random occurrence of things that leads to nothingness.
"I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live as if there isn't and to die to find out that there is." — Albert Camus
What about you? Do you believe? Want to start a conversation about faith? Connect with us and let us help you with your next steps.
