Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash

It is a fascinating question, and worth a deep dive.

The short answer is that anyone who could answer the question can no longer answer it.

However, they left a written record of what they witnessed.

But this raises a question. How can you believe their account?

History (especially ancient history) is based on accounts of past events that can be validated with evidence.

For example, the evidence that Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas is his journals and bits and pieces of archaeological findings.

Similarly, evidence that Jesus was tortured, crucified, died, placed in a cave (carved out of rock), and three days later rose from the dead is recorded by several witnesses. There are archaeological findings, although some do exist.

Why is this important?

It is important because the evidence of someone (Christopher Columbus) discovering something (the land mass called the Americas) is based on his journals and readily regarded as true.

The case of Jesus (far more important than the discovery of America) is adequately documented, and yet widely refuted by many outside the Christian community.

Why isn’t it accepted as true, like Christopher Columbus’s journals?

Here is why

Columbus’s life is well documented—but so is the life of Christ.

Columbus’s journeys are widely known—but so are the exploits of Jesus.

Columbus made a significant discovery—but Jesus gave humanity a life-changing event.

Given the similarities, why is Columbus’s story believed and Jesus’s story doubted?

This is where the stories differ. As significant as Columbus’s discovery was, it was a natural occurrence; he saw something created by God.

The story of Jesus is a spiritual story restoring something that was lost.

So, did Jesus really rise from the dead?

Absolutely, and here is why.

Humanity made a mistake, and the price was deadly.

The Man said, “The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it.”

God said to the Woman, “What is this that you’ve done?” “The serpent seduced me,” she said, “and I ate.”

I’m declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He’ll wound your head, you’ll wound his heel.”

Genesis 3:12-13, 15 The Message

War was declared between humanity and the serpent, symbolizing satan or the devil.

The war is actively ongoing today, but is widely ignored by humanity because it is a spiritual battle, not a physical one.

The goal of the devil in this war is to keep humanity from believing that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead to proclaim a new way of life.

This explains why the writings of Christopher Columbus would be accepted while the writings about Jesus would be refuted.

The strategy creates doubt and confusion and has worked well for thousands of years.

This is where the second element of proof of Christ’s resurrection comes into play.

Because this war is spiritual and not physical, it is not seen (although it can be felt), which means it is fought in the mind.

You are a Christ-follower because you believed what you heard and embraced something you felt. You heard the word of God, and you felt the drawing of God the Holy Spirit pulling at your Spirit.

You accept this by faith, not because you have physical evidence (although there can be physical evidence, like abandoning bad habits).

Faith is the belief and assurance that God is who he says he is, and does what he says he will do.

The devil cannot overcome faith, and as long as you hold onto it, your light (witness) is evidence that Jesus has risen from the dead.

Jesus put it this way.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.

If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. ”

Matthew 5:14-15 The Message

This represents the third element of evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.

Jesus has done something in you, changing you from the inside.

He tells us through the prophet John the Baptist:

“I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama – compared to him I’m a mere stagehand – will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.”

Matthew 3:11 The Message

Here’s a story to illustrate

A friend was promised a promotion at work, and everyone in the small company knew about it. The day the announcement was to be made, the boss approached him, saying, I’ve given the position to someone else.

My friend held his tongue, choosing to talk to the Lord instead of anyone else.

His coworkers noticed his silence and continued diligence at work. They asked him about it, and he replied, “It is in God’s hands. He will take care of me.”

Not long after the incident, another company approached him about a position with better pay (similar to the one he was supposed to have been given).

His coworkers were amazed, but acknowledged how his decision impacted them.

His changed life was a living testimony to his coworkers, and it is something the devil cannot fight.

His life was (and still is) evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.

The resurrection is powerful evidence that Jesus is alive, and those around you see it in your changed life.

 

The call of the Spirit is going out across the land for light bearers and (wisdom-speaking) truth givers to bring the words of life to a lost and dying world—one person at a time.

Will you join me?

The journey is exciting and scary, and I am thankful for everyone who is willing to accompany me on it.