This past Sunday was Easter! A day of celebration of the resurrection of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! The one event in history that changed everything. Even the dating of our calendar is based on this God-Man, Jesus Christ. B.C. before Christ and A.D. is “anno Domini nostri Jesu Christi”, which translates to “in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ. You can deny this God-Man existed, but history would prove you wrong. Some want to say he was just a man, a Jewish rebel that was charismatic, drawing thousands to listen to him wherever he went. The evidence that He was God in the flesh is with us, present, past, and future.
Jesus walked the earth for 33 years. His public ministry was only 3 years, but oh what an impact it made in 3 short years. Within a few decades of his lifetime, he is mentioned by Jewish and Roman historians, as well as by dozens of Christian writings. The evidence is both early and detailed. Paul’s writings were within 25 years of Jesus’ resurrection. All throughout the New Testament gospels there are eyewitness accounts of Jesus.
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who wrote a history of Judaism around AD93, has two references to Jesus. He refers to Jesus as “Jesus the so-called Christ.” In the history of Rome, we find the Roman politicians Pliny and Tacitus. They held some of the highest offices in Rome at the beginning of the second century AD. Tacitus records Jesus was executed while Pontius Pilate was the Roman in charge of Judea (AD 26-36) and Tiberius was emperor(AD14-37). These reports fit perfectly with the timeframe of the gospels. Pliny, Tacitus, nor Josephus were Christians, but they report that Jesus Christ existed and was worshiped as God. None of the ancient writings refute that Jesus existed, only in modern times has His existence been questioned.
Some still question the resurrection. They say he wasn’t dead, he was just in a coma. No medical doctor would believe that to be true. The brutality of the crucifixion was beyond anything we can imagine in our time. To make sure they were dead, the Roman soldiers would pierce their side with a spear. When they pierced Jesus, he was already dead, and the blood had already separated bringing forth blood and water. Such bloodshed would make it impossible to live, especially to lie in a tomb for 3 days with no medical attention and then resurrect as completely well. It would take more faith to believe he didn’t die than it does to believe he died as the scripture says.
John 19:34 “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”
On Easter, Christians all over the world celebrated His resurrection. It is recorded in Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:8, Mark 16:14, Luke 24:9-11, Luke 24:33-37, and John 20:19-20. They all speak of those who saw Jesus after His resurrection. Mary Magdalene was the first. She and other women went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, to anoint His body with burial spices. I’m sure they must have been wondering how they would move the stone. Maybe they thought they could convince the Roman guards to push it back, so they could get in. What their conversations were we do not know, but we do know they loved Him so much they had to try.
Luke 24:10 “It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.”
When they arrived, the stone was moved, and the soldiers were as dead men. They entered and see two angels. One of the angels tells them that Jesus is alive! These women go to tell the disciples His body was gone. Many Magdalene tells them and returns to the tomb with Peter and John. They leave, but she stays behind weeping. At this point, Jesus appears to her. Jesus sends her to tell the others HE IS ALIVE!
John 20:15-17 “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”
In Matthew 28:9 he appears to Mary the mother of James, Salome, and Joanna. Again, totally unexpected, they reach and take hold of His body. He then sends them to tell others.
Matthew 28:9-10 “And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”
In Luke 24:34 he appears to Peter. Later that day He appears to the men on the road to Emmaus. I love the conversation on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-31. The men, Cleopas being one of them, were sad and talking about how they had expected Jesus to redeem them. They were talking with Jesus and didn’t recognize who he was. As they got to their destination, they wanted him to come in and eat with them. As Jesus broke the bread and blessed it, their eyes were opened, and they knew who they had been with on their journey. They too knew he was alive!
In John 21, Peter and six other disciples decided to go fishing. They had fished all night with no fish, Jesus tells them to cast their nets on the other side. There were so many fish in their nets they couldn’t bring them all in. As they approached the shore they found Jesus cooking breakfast for them. He also ate with them.
In I Corinthians 15:6, we find that Jesus spoke with an audience of over 500 followers. In a court of law, you only need two witnesses to solidify the evidence!
There is plenty of evidence of those who saw him in the past and recorded it in history, but the best evidence for me is now. I know he lives within me, hears my prayers, and answers them. I also know because of his crucifixion and resurrection I can place my faith in a God who loves me and forgives me. My relationship in the present gives me hope for the future.
Jesus is either who he said he is or he is a lunatic. I choose to believe he is who he says he is. History records it, and hundreds saw His power over death and the grave. What do you believe? Search out scriptures and history for yourself.
While we tend to celebrate this miracle once a year, for every Christian every Sunday should be resurrection Sunday! So celebrate again today.
