Verify Podcast

I have met many Christians whose only reason for being called Christian is that they were born into it. Does that describe you or anyone you know? Then, please listen for a few minutes.

In Episode 14, I spoke about portions of the Old Testament which predicted the life of Jesus. Some were so exact that they foretold some of his last words on the cross, and details of His crucifixion, several centuries before crucifixion even came into existence! Amazing right? Well, it gets more interesting.

After His crucifixion, Jesus was pronounced dead in public and sealed in a heavily guarded stone tomb, to ensure that his body did not go missing. The authorities of the day, needed to deal a final blow to what they considered a troublesome movement, and showing the disciples that their messiah had no power to rise as He had earlier said He would, was their way of doing this (Matt 27:62-66). However, in spite of their best efforts, the crucified Christ rose from the dead 3 days after, and left the tomb empty.

Thereafter, Jesus was seen alive, on several occasions, and by over 500 people in the weeks that followed (1 Cor 15:5-7). Because of this, many of His disciples who for fear of arrest, had deserted Him before the crucifixion, suddenly emerged boldly, spreading the gospel and ready to give their lives for its propagation. Indeed, most of them did in the years that followed, choosing to die rather than deny their faith. Why this sudden change of heart? Why did they suddenly become so bold? Why did the early church grow rapidly after the resurrection in spite of the barbaric persecution that the very first believers had to endure? Could it be that they were witnesses to a mystery; a miracle, that would change their lives and the course of history forever?

Now let me share something that intrigues me greatly. Do you know that outside of the bible, ancient non-Christian writers such as Lucian, Pliny the younger, and Josephus, among several others, documented the death of Jesus and the persecution of the early church? Some of these men were hostile to the Christian faith, yet they put down in their writings, evidence that has made disproving the bible accounts, even more difficult for several generations of the strongest sceptics. If historians from around the time of Jesus, attested to these stories, then we should not be doubtful. Cynics have come and gone, and many still remain today, trying hard to prove that the resurrection did not happen, but guess what, their arguments will always fall short. Why? Because the grave of Jesus was empty and no one ever found a body!

So beyond the ancient writings that foretell of Jesus, His resurrection is another unique attribute which no one else in history has, and a strong anchor for the Christian faith.

I pray today, for all of us who profess to be Christians, that we will find rest in the reality that the grave is truly empty, and we will come to a fuller understanding of the reason for our faith, Amen.