Introduction
Piloting a twin bomber, British aviators Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown (navigator) successfully completed the first non-stop flight from North America to Europe on June 14, 1919. The first nonstop transatlantic flight was a monumental feat in the realm of aviation as it bridged the two distant land masses. Yet, as impressive as this flying feat is, it dims in comparison with Christ bridging the gap between humanity and God. Just as the pilots overcame physical barriers, Christ overcame the spiritual divide through His resurrection, offering us a personal relationship with God, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. The aviators performed a great feat but nothing in comparison to Jesus’ F.E.A.T. over Satan, sin, and the grave!
Is the Resurrection True?
A central question posed was the authenticity of the resurrection. Is it possible that the resurrection of Christ was the greatest hoax in history? Christianity hinges on the physical resurrection of Christ being a historical fact. Is there any proof supporting the belief that Jesus was raised on the third day just as the Scriptures say (1 Corinthians 15:4)? Using the acronym FEAT, we will discover four pieces of evidence that support the Bible’s claims of Jesus rising from the dead.
F – Faithful and Accurate Recordings
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The first point of evidence is the faithful and accurate recording of Christ’s life and resurrection we possess in the Scriptures today. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, highlights that the accounts we have are not legends but reliable historical records written soon after the events of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. These verses in 1 Corinthians were a creed of the early believers in used as early as two years after Jesus’ victory over death. The beliefs that these verses highlight concerning the Church’s beliefs about Jesus’ identity agree with the gospels writers description of Jesus.
E – Eyewitness Testimonies to Verify
1 Corinthians 15:5-6
Eyewitness accounts provide compelling evidence for the resurrection. Peter and the rest of the twelve (minus Judas) had the risen Jesus reveal Himself to them. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul cites over 500 witnesses saw the resurrected Christ at one time. Many of those who were present at this time were still living and were able to confirm their testimonies. A thousand eyes seeing the resurrected Jesus as one time eliminates the theory that His followers imagined seeing Jesus alive because mass hallucinations do not occur.
A – Adversaries Turned Allies
1 Corinthians 15:7-9
Remarkably, individuals who were once hostile to Jesus, such as Paul and James, became His staunchest advocates after encountering the risen Christ. Their transformations from adversaries to allies serve as powerful testimony to the reality of the resurrection. Take Saul (Paul the Apostle) who was bent on eliminating Jesus’ followers before encountering Him on the road to Damascus. This once terrorist turned evangelist. As remarkable as Paul’s transformation from adversary to ally is, James is also worth mentioning. James, the half brother of Jesus, doubted that Jesus was the Messiah. Yet, in the book of James, he identifies himself as a servant of Christ. It is one thing to have friends support you in an endeavor, it’s another thing when enemies and doubters become partners and believers.
T – The Transformation of Lives
1 Corinthians 15:10-11
The transformative power of the resurrection is evident in the changed lives of those who witnessed it. The disciples, once fearful and hiding, became bold proclaimers of the Gospel, with many facing martyrdom for their unwavering belief in the risen Lord. Only a resurrected Jesus could provide the life changing belief needed to change cowering disciples into courageous messengers. It was only by seeing that Jesus had conquered death that guaranteed they would also live after dying because they were in Him. This truth allowed them to make every needed sacrifice to be His witnesses knowing the worst that could happen was that they would die and in an instant be with Jesus forevermore.
Conclusion: A Challenge for Personal Reflection
A man was visiting Israel with his wife and mother-in-law. While they were there, the man’s mother-in-law died. The man and his wife met with the funeral home to go over the options available for the deceased woman. After hearing the different options, the man chose one that would have his mother-in-law’s body shipped back to the States for the final arrangements and burial. The funeral director was shocked that the gentleman chose this route because it was several thousand dollars more than the others offered. When he asked the man what cause him to make the more costly decision, he told the director that he had heard a story about a man dying and being buried in Israel and three days later came back to life. The man said he would rather pay more to have his mother-in-law’s body shipped to and buried in the States than take the chance of history repeating itself!
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is more than a story; it’s a historical fact that changes everything. It redefines how we live today, how we view death, and fuels our hope for eternity. If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus, consider the evidence and the transformative power of His resurrection and make the decision to trust in Him today! Click this link and discover how to begin a relationship with Jesus today!
If you have placed your trust in Jesus celebrate the truth that because the grave could not hold Jesus, it cannot hold those of us in Jesus!
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