Back from the dead?! Are you sure?

The truth about the Resurrection of Jesus...

Occasionally a report comes out that someone has died, and then returned to life. The reports carry passing interest, but how long does the excitement last?

A week? Two?

But then why are so many people still talking, debating and resting the base of their faith on one man's death thousands of years ago?

So, to dive straight in, lets look at the available evidence surrounding the truth of the resurrection.


The Empty Tomb: Everyone agrees that the Tomb was empty, but there are only three logical explanations for this:

1) Jesus' friends took his body.
2) Jesus' enemies removed the body.
3) Jesus rose again.

1) His friends nicked it...
The events of Good Friday would have broken the disciples' spirit completely, therefore the last thing on their mind would be to plot frauding a resurrection. And besides, there was a guard by the Tomb,
so this was virtually impossible. (Matt 27 v62-66)

2) Jesus' enemies removed the body. But what would be the motive?? Removing his body would only promote rumours that Jesus was alive.

3) Jesus rose again. Surely this is the only logical explanation?

Appearances after the resurrection:
- Jesus appeared to his followers around ten times following his resurrection. On some occasions only one or two people were present, and on another over 500 were present. There is no possibility of hallucinations. The appearances took place in different places and at different times. Then the appearances stopped abruptly. Any who are subject to visions or hallucinations tend to go on experiencing them - they don't stop abruptly.

So what about the disciples, were they hiding anything?? Well, take Chuck
Colson, an associate of ex-US President Richard Nixon. He was involved with the Watergate scandal alongside Nixon in the 70's, and became a Christian while in prison. He knew from the Watergate scandal that the truth has a way of coming out. He admitted that he couldn't hold their story for three weeks under the intense pressure. He also concludes that if the resurrection was a lie, that the disciples could never have held out. So, if the disciples were hiding anything, it would of come out eventually.

Obviously, its up to you to decide whether you believe the resurrection to be true, but if it isn't, then clearly the biggest prank has been played on the world, with billions falling for it.

But, then again, how likely is that to happen?

Joel.

Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?

This is probably the most important question that you will ever ask, because if the answer is God then that is going to make a radical change to your life.

So what is Jesus like? If you search “Jesus” on google images these are some of the pictures that you will find.

They all seem to portray a soft, gentle pretty-boy, with long glossy hair, cuddling a cute little lamb. To be honest he doesn’t look very impressive, he certainly doesn’t look like someone you would worship and give your life to. But the bible paints a very different picture. Revelation 19:11-16 describes him like this:

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

And Revelation 1:12-18 describes him like this:

“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

I think you’ll agree, that’s a very different picture. This is who Jesus is. This is the God that Christians worship.