I read a book many years ago, titled "The Jesus You Never Knew", by Phillip Yancey. It is a terrific book, and I highly recommend it. One chapter, in particular, captured my attention. History has demonstrated that Jesus did exist and history outside the Bible. But, of course, we only have biblical accounts of the resurrection. But Yancy brings up an extremely compelling point about the resurrection that, in my mind, provides extraordinary evidence of His resurrection.
In those days, many false prophets claimed to be the Messiah. They had a group of followers, but eventually they were either killed or imprisoned and their followers fell away. Obviously, Jesus had a group of followers. But after the arrest of Jesus in the Garden Gethsemane, the Disciples began to fall away. Even Peter, denied knowing Jesus on 3 occasions that very night. Why did they fall away? Because they greatly feared they were in grave danger of losing their lives.
Only one Disciple chose to stay and watch the crucification, John. All the others fled for their lives. But something changed the minds of all the Disciples. For they all died for Christ (John was exiled), Peter crucified upside down because he said he was not worthy to be crucified as was his Lord. Why would the Disciples suddenly decide to die for Jesus?
The most obvious answer, given human nature, is that after the crucification, they saw Jesus again. It was then they realized he was the one, true Messiah. With this realization, they knew that all he said prior to the crucification was correct. How he would die. How he would be savaged. How he would rise again in triumph. And now, with his appearance after his death, they were finally convinced. It was then they decided to commit completely to the Lord and to spread his word across the land. And they paid a very dear price, but not until they had fulfilled their mission.
Think about this. A Man/God is born in an insignificant part of the world. There is no mass communication. No radio broadcasts, no massive evangelical churches, no TV broadcasts. He only teaches for 3 years by simply talking to people that were willing to listen. But in those 3 years, in a place of incredible insignificance, he changed the lives of billions forever.
A human being does not suddenly go from fearing greatly for his life to be willing to die, if not for a great reason. And the reason is the resurrection.
Have a great Easter.
In those days, many false prophets claimed to be the Messiah. They had a group of followers, but eventually they were either killed or imprisoned and their followers fell away. Obviously, Jesus had a group of followers. But after the arrest of Jesus in the Garden Gethsemane, the Disciples began to fall away. Even Peter, denied knowing Jesus on 3 occasions that very night. Why did they fall away? Because they greatly feared they were in grave danger of losing their lives.
Only one Disciple chose to stay and watch the crucification, John. All the others fled for their lives. But something changed the minds of all the Disciples. For they all died for Christ (John was exiled), Peter crucified upside down because he said he was not worthy to be crucified as was his Lord. Why would the Disciples suddenly decide to die for Jesus?
The most obvious answer, given human nature, is that after the crucification, they saw Jesus again. It was then they realized he was the one, true Messiah. With this realization, they knew that all he said prior to the crucification was correct. How he would die. How he would be savaged. How he would rise again in triumph. And now, with his appearance after his death, they were finally convinced. It was then they decided to commit completely to the Lord and to spread his word across the land. And they paid a very dear price, but not until they had fulfilled their mission.
Think about this. A Man/God is born in an insignificant part of the world. There is no mass communication. No radio broadcasts, no massive evangelical churches, no TV broadcasts. He only teaches for 3 years by simply talking to people that were willing to listen. But in those 3 years, in a place of incredible insignificance, he changed the lives of billions forever.
A human being does not suddenly go from fearing greatly for his life to be willing to die, if not for a great reason. And the reason is the resurrection.
Have a great Easter.
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