A Resurrection Is The Best Explanation of the Facts

Dr. William Lane Craig, is a theologian and scholar who has spent decades carefully examining theological issues, in particular, the resurrection of Jesus. Dr. Craig states these four facts “are widely accepted by New Testament scholars today.”

Fact number 1: After his crucifixion, Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea in the tomb.

Fact number 2: On the Sunday following the crucifixion, Jesus’ tomb was found empty by a group of his women followers.

Fact number 3: On multiple occasions and under various circumstances, different individuals and groups of people experienced appearances of Jesus alive from the dead.

And… Fact number 4: The original disciples believed that Jesus was risen from the dead despite their having every reason not to.

There are many more things which could be said in support of each of these four statements but a great question to consider in light of these truths would be this: What is the best explanation of these facts?

If you are my friend on social media you already know my position on the matter, but I will state it here, anyhow: the best explanation for these four facts is that God, the Father, raised Jesus from the dead.

You say, “Yeah, but if you believe that explanation it means you have to believe a miracle occurred.”

That’s true. But it’s okay. He’s God. He is capable of performing miracles. In fact, what we consider miraculous is actually simple and natural to Almighty God.

“He isn't here! [The tomb.] He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.”

Matthew 28:6

Victory Over Death, Jesus Is Alive!

Jesus claims to be the giver of life, true life, abundant life, eternal life.  He says things like this:  “Life is found in me!” 

Well, He can only be the giver of life, if He has experienced victory over death, himself.

It just happens to be the case that victory over death is what we proclaim at Easter.  Jesus is risen from the dead!  He has experienced victory over sin and death!  The grave could not hold Him!  Evil could not defeat Him.

He’s alive!  And because Jesus lives, you and I can live!  We can have life in Him.

Praise God for the resurrection of Jesus; for the truth of who Jesus is; for forgiveness of sins; for the hope we have in Him. Praise God for life! 

Happy Easter, Jesus is alive!

Easter 2014 - Audio Podcast

1 Corinthians 15:3-9

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Because Jesus Is Alive There Is Victory!

Because Jesus is alive… good is victorious over evil, obedience is victorious over sin, love is victorious over hate, right is victorious over wrong and life is victorious over death.  Because Jesus is alive we can share in life, true life, eternal life with Him! 

It’s the kind of thing that could get a guy if excited, you know what I mean?

He is risen, indeed!

Happy Easter! Jesus Is Alive!

Jesus claims to be the giver of life, true life, abundant life, eternal life.  He says things like this:  “Life is found in me!” 

Well, He can only be the giver of life, if He has experienced victory over death, himself.

And victory over death is what we proclaim at Easter.  Jesus is risen from the dead!  He has experienced victory over sin and death!  The grave could not hold Him!  Evil could not defeat Him.

He’s alive!  And because Jesus lives, you and I can live!  We can have life in Him.

Praise God for the resurrection of Jesus; for the truth of who Jesus is; for forgiveness of sins; for the hope that we have in Him; for life! 

Happy Easter, Jesus is alive!

He's Alive!

I suppose that when they killed Jesus they somewhat naturally assumed: “That takes care of that.”  Death by crucifixion is known to be quite final. 

“There!  We won’t have to deal with this Jesus character anymore,” is no doubt what they believed.

But something happened.

Imagine the various reactions:  Surprise.  Joy.  Fear.  Disbelief.  Awe.  Bewilderment.  Worship.

And then these words began to ripple through the community:  “He’s alive!”

They’re still rippling through the community today.

He’s alive!

Resurrection? Come On! You're Kidding, Right?

There's no point in trying to argue about the resurrection of Jesus.  After all, as I read on a web site recently, "We know from all our experience of the world that men don't rise from the dead."

But this sure is strange: Billions of people over the past couple of thousand years have been well aware of the fact that men don't rise from the dead—this fact has not escaped their attention—and yet they put their faith and trust in Jesus and they embrace the truth of the resurrection of Christ.  To say that all of these people are just plain dumb and gullible is not a satisfactory explanation for this phenomenon, although I realize that will be the default explanation for some.

I think it's likely that many of these believers would simply say, "I have experienced the truth of Jesus Christ alive in me and I know this reality to be true!"

So, we continue to proclaim the truth of Easter:  "He's alive!"

You're allowed to doubt, of course.  God gives us that option.  But when you see Jesus, someday, it will be a profound moment of clarification.

I believe that He is alive!