Proof of Resurrection of Jesus

Published 10:55 am Sunday, April 12, 2020

To the Editor:

Dr. Josh McDowell was asked by his students why he couldn’t refute Christianity. He said, “For a simple reason: I’m unable to explain away an event in history — the resurrection of Jesus.” Dr. McDowell  gave some facts why historians believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. They are:

1. Roman guard desertion: This was an offense requiring the death penalty. Guards could be put to death for falling asleep or deserting.

2. Two-ton stone moved: The stone was described as having been rolled up a slope away from the entrance of the tomb.

3. Broken Roman seal: Everyone feared breaking of the seal. It meant automatic execution by crucifixion.

4. Empty tomb: Both Roman and Jewish traditions and sources admit an empty tomb. Gamaliel on the Jewish high court of the Sanhedrin said, “The rise of the Christian movement was God’s doing; He could not have done that if the tomb was occupied or if the Sanhedrin knew the whereabouts of Jesus’ body.” The Jewish leaders would have paid any price to get the body of Jesus to destroy Christianity.

5. Over 500 witnesses: The Bible says Jesus was seen by more than 500 people after rising from the dead.

6. Lives changed: Thomas and James didn’t believe Jesus rose from the dead until they saw him.

7. Lives given: Many gave their lives because they wouldn’t deny Jesus had risen from the dead. People won’t die for something they don’t believe in. Knowing our Christian faith is based on solid historical facts of the empty tomb and the risen Jesus we can celebrate the most glorious important and life changing morning in world history —Easter! This year no one will be bragging about their new or other’s new Easter clothes. The Bible says never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus in Galatians 6. Easter makes Christians think about the cross Jesus died on for our sins. There’s no substitute for the cross even in our bodies. Scientists say a cross-shaped protein named laminin holds all of our cells together. The Bible says Jesus holds everything together and without Jesus everything falls apart. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus as never before because the end-time shaking has begun and it’s the beginning of sorrows.

Hebrews 12 tells us Jesus’ kingdom can’t be shaken. In the rubble of the 9/11 destruction a steel cross was found. It was a God provided reminder that Jesus is present even in tragedy. God provided a reminder with the 17-foot cross that nothing can separate Christians from Jesus and His love. Romans 8 lists 17 things that can’t separate Christians from the love of Jesus. Christians have always faced persecution and hardship and still do. God’s hands are heavy, even with Christians in this life. God’s hands are heavy, but loving, as evident by the nail scars that go all the way through them. The Bible brings comfort by promising it’s impossible to be separated from the love of Jesus. That love was best demonstrated on the cross with the arms of Jesus open wide to receive us! Because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross we don’t have to practice social distancing with Him and God the Father. This Easter draw near to God and He will draw near to you!

D.D. Nave

Elizabethton