He Is Risen!

We live in an age where many do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead. They regard it as a fairy story. They argue that the disciples stole the body or Jesus didn’t die, but simply passed out and later recovered. Christians are increasingly viewed as weak minded and unable to face facts. Yet, it’s these very facts about the resurrection that point us to the truth. So much so, that we should encourage every sceptic to approach the evidence with an open mind, and assess for themselves if Jesus really did rise from the dead. Many have tried and failed.

Dr Frank Morison, a lawyer/engineer decided to write a book proving that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. After much research, he did write a book; just not the one he planned to! He applied his sceptical legal mind to the evidence, and found it so overwhelming that he was forced to accept it and became a believer. He wrote the classic ‘Who Moved The Stone’, and the opening chapter is titled ‘The Book That Refused To Be Written’.

Lew Wallace was a Union General in the American Civil War, and was a trained attorney who didn’t believe in Jesus, although his wife did. He was encouraged to write a book disproving the deity of Christ and His resurrection. As he researched, his wife prayed. The result was that he ended up defending Christ and His resurrection in the famous book, Ben Hur, described as the most influential book of the 19th century. The film made a big impression on my own life and was a stepping-stone to my faith in Jesus.

Finally, although we could find many others, there is Lee Strobel, an avowed atheist and former award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune. When his wife became a Christian, Lee was incensed. A friend suggested that the answer was for him to use his skills to disprove the resurrection, as it is vital to the Christian faith. He thoroughly researched every aspect of it in great detail, determined to provide his wife with evidence that her faith was not founded on facts. Eventually he was forced to accept the truth of the very facts he researched, and gave his life to Jesus. The recent film, ‘The Case For Christ’ is based on his book and well worth seeing, and inviting non-believers to as well.

The evidence of the resurrection is clear. Jesus died and rose again from the dead. He defeated death and took our punishment upon Himself on the cross. His resurrection proves that the Father has accepted His death for ours, His punishment in place of ours. The grave is not our end, but the beginning of a life spent in glory. He is risen!

Prayer: Oh Lord, thank You for dying in my place. My faith is indeed based on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. Because of that, and not because of any good deeds that I might be able to do, I can spend eternity with You. Your invitation of salvation is for everyone, but it doesn’t take effect until we accept it personally. Thank You, Lord, Amen.