The Super Bowl is always a big sporting event. March Madness gives way to upset after upset year after year. But the greatest upset in history happened around 2000 years ago in a grave three days after it was filled. In thought and conversation about Easter and what it means to me and why I love not just this holiday but the Jesus guy we celebrate during this holiday, I thought I’d give three practical evidences as to why I’m personally all in on the Resurrection of Jesus having actually happened.
- Nobody expected no body. The disciples, those guys who we talk about on Sunday mornings and at small groups, the ones who walked with Jesus and knew him in a way most people only dream. The same guys who spent 3 years following him and some even writing down events that had happened so they wouldn’t forget. Yes, those same guys were not expecting the resurrection. When they come into the story they were in a room, probably a little scared, and figuring out what was next. They weren’t waiting at the tomb as it opened. I also think it gives validity to the scriptures that they wrote it the way it happened, and didn’t embellish themselves as heroes.
- The martyrdom of the disciples. Almost all of these guys were put to death in response to their belief in Jesus being raised from the dead. Who dies for something that didn’t happen? Truly… Why would anyone claim something and then die for that claim unless it was true? And even if you can get one person to do it… Why would multiple people die for a lie? Someone would have squeaked. Someone would have thrown the hoax flag… Unless it was true and they had really seen Jesus raised from the dead and touched the holes where the nails went.
- We’re still talking about it. Fads and popular trends fade. This was the opposite. It was not cool to be a Christian. Yet, in the midst of its uncool derogatory origin, here we are, just under 2000 years later celebrating an event that happened. If nothing happened… We wouldn’t be talking about it today and we certainly wouldn’t be celebrating this weekend as a religious holiday.
This isn’t all of the reasons I’ve put my faith in Christ alone for my salvation. And this certainly isn’t the end of the argument for some of you I’m sure. But these are a BIG 3 as to why I believe. Maybe they’ll spark some thought for you on this Easter weekend as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
I don’t expect this to get you to believing in Jesus, but maybe it will get you one step closer. It’s your call. For me, I’ve made up my heart and mind. I believe.
leadershape 