Why I Believe the Resurrection

ILLUSTRATION: Tell a story of a single moment that changed your life (meeting your spouse, taking a job, etc.)

• Single events can change the course of your entire life.

• From devastating breakups to college acceptance letters, little moments have big impacts.

• This is true in our lives, but it's also true in human history. At the center of universe-shifting moments, there is one supreme event.

• The resurrection of Jesus reigns as the most extravagant and significant event ever to happen.

• All of history hinges on that single Sunday morning in ancient Jerusalem.

• Faith movements were sparked. Kingdoms began to crumble. All of humanity was gifted a direct connection to God.

• Reinforcing this truth, Paul cuts right to the chase when he explains, "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians 15:14).

• The resurrection isn't just a significant event. It's the central event. Our entire faith firmly holds to this foundation. Without it, we have nothing. 

• The resurrection of Jesus is the most challenged tenant of our faith. Why? Because it’s the most central. It’s the foundation of our entire life and ministry.

• However, as I have studied ancient Rome, I can conclude that not believing the resurrection takes as much faith as believing in it.

• Ancient Rome was known for their parties. The wealthy elites would throw weekend long festivals that would put our modern ugly sweater parties to shame. Their elegant affairs consisted of food, wine, entertainment, and lots of debauchery.

• These parties grew especially wild when they were celebrating their larger than-life gods and deities like Jupiter, Mars, and Cupid.

• Now, I want to invite you to use your imagination with me.

• Imagine you stepped into a time machine and were zapped back in time to attend one of these ancient Roman ragers.

• Let’s pretend you show up at the beginning of March, as the Romans are celebrating Maritus, the festival of Mars. (Fun fact, this is why we call our third month of the year March.) Mars was the Roman god of war, who was especially popular with the ruling class.

• During March, political elites threw wild parties to revel in their military might, continent-wide conquest, and ever-growing empires. Now, let’s imagine that you show up at the party wearing a modern flannel shirt, Levi’s jeans, and a pair of Vans.

• The elite Romans marvel at your futuristic fashion and insist you join in on their festivities.

• You are a diplomat from the future, so they give you a seat of honor at the head of the table, positioned right next to the most important person at the party.

• They all anxiously lean in as they ask you what the future is like.

• You explain, “Every human in the world is connected by this thing called the internet. It’s like a complex highway for information and content. The internet gives us answers to pretty much every question imaginable and free access to almost every book ever written.”

• They gasp at the thought. Then, you explain, “We mostly use it to look at pictures of dogs and send pictures of ourselves to our friends… sometimes with a dog nose filter.” Confusion sweeps over the room.

• There is a drawn-out pause before they ask their real pressing question. A well-dressed woman interrogates, “How powerful is Rome? Is our empire still worldwide?”

• You take a gulp and explain, “Not exactly. Rome is kind of a tourist trap these days, and you don’t have an empire, just a small city. People visit from all over to take pictures of your ruins though.”

• They all look distraught and investigate. “People are still coming to visit Rome, though. That’s not too bad! What is the most popular attraction?” You answer, “The Vatican is pretty popular. Oh! And people love St. Peter’s Basilica. People also really like pasta.”

• They look perplexed and press on, “What exactly is the Vatican and Peter’s Basilica?”

• “They’re really big churches,” you explain while eating a green olive.

• They all cheer. “Churches! Wonderful!

• Are people worshipping Jupiter or Mars?”

• You explain, “No, these are mostly Christian churches.”

• They hiss, “Christian? You mean like followers of that crazy man from Galilee?

• We just killed that guy! How can there be churches dedicated to him?”

• The attitude in the room is growing aggressive, but you explain, “Well, Christianity is the biggest religion in the world. People worship Jesus in every nation of every continent.”

• The reception turns into a riot.

• Angry Romans in togas chase you out of the marble courtyard. You turn down an alleyway and hop back into your time-machine to get beamed back into the twenty-first century.

• Rome is proof of the resurrection.

• When you go to Rome today, it is covered in crosses.

• There are churches on nearly every corner. News of Jesus’s resurrection spread throughout the Roman empire days after His death.

• For nearly a hundred years, the empire resisted and tried to kill Christ-followers. This led to wide-spread persecution and execution of Christians, but eventually, even the Roman emperor, Constantine, converted to Christianity.

• Christianity expanded because of a real experience. Early Christians all collectively believed that a man who was publicly murdered came back from the grave.

• Their faith rested in a real experience with the real Jesus.

— TRANSITION —

• Let's be honest.

• A dead person coming back to life is difficult to comprehend or even believe. I agree. I have been there and processed that.

• However, the Bible authors basically dare people to disprove the resurrection.

• This wasn't something that happened thousands of years ago to their audience. It was trending news. Thus, it would have been relatively easy for Rome to disprove the resurrection.

• So why didn't they?

• This brings us to our discussion today. Here are three reasons to trust the validity of the greatest moment of human history - the resurrection.

Jesus Definitely Died & Was Buried

• The Romans bragged about their ability to torture and execute their criminals.

• They didn't just invent crucifixion, they perfected it.

• After his brutal beating and crucifixion, which was enough to kill anyone, they plunged a spear into his ribcage.

• The Bible explains that water poured out, which modern doctors attribute to fatal blood loss. There is no way someone could have survived such suffering and trauma.

• After Christ was pronounced dead, soldiers lugged his lifeless body to a little tomb on the outskirts of town.

• They didn't just shut the door; they built a fortress.

• Public officials were warned that the body might go missing because His followers predicted a supernatural resurrection.

• Dozens of skilled centurions rolled a massive boulder over the entrance of the cave.

• Twenty-four hours a day, a squad of battle-ready soldiers guarded the tomb with shields and weapons.

• Rome didn't just want Jesus dead. They wanted Jesus' corpse protected by immovable boulders and military force.

• Some people try to claim that the body was stolen by the disciples. But how on earth could they pull off this mission-impossible-level heist?

• It's impossible to comprehend how a few fishermen from the suburbs could successfully steal a 160-pound human body being protected by the strongest military in the world.

Next, The Tomb was Definitely Empty.

• We can be assured that Jesus publicly died before a highly-protected burial.

• However, we can also affirm that His body went missing.

• When rumors of the resurrection swept through the city, Rome wanted to shut it down.

• There was one simple solution -- show people Jesus’ dead body.

• Rome was notorious for putting deceased criminals on display in public courtyards.

• This gruesome practice was designed to intimidate criminals and prevent further rebellion.

• If Jesus was still buried, they would have simply drug his body through the street or put it on display downtown.

• They didn't do this because His body was nowhere to be found.

• Jesus grew in popularity after his execution.

• The resurrection was the big news story in the Roman Republic.

• Hundreds of people shared supernatural stories of Christ encounters in the following days.

• Christianity spread to thousands of people in just about two months after the resurrection.

• The world-changing reality of the resurrection initiated this explosion of faith. Rome could have proved it false, but they didn't.

• The only logical explanation is that the tomb was empty, and Jesus was alive.

Lastly, If It Was a Lie, Why Did They Die?

• If Jesus' resurrection was a hoax, then the disciples must have been involved.

• Why would they all sacrifice their lives for a scam?

• History tells us that Peter was crucified upside down.

• He wouldn't be willing to die if He didn't speak to Jesus after His resurrection.

• Thomas was stabbed to death in Syria.

• He wouldn't have preached the gospel to a hostile crowd if He hadn't touched the wounds of his risen friend, Jesus (John 20:28).

• John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos during the rule of the Dominion.

• He went for months without food or clean water. He could have easily just denied Jesus to be sent home, but He didn't.

• This is because He sat at the foot of the cross while Jesus died, then He had breakfast on the beach with Him a few days later (John 21:2).

• So many of these early followers went all the way to their deaths to defend Jesus' life, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.

• Their experience with Jesus was so real that execution was the least of their concerns. Not a single person would die for a sham they fabricated — let alone dozens of people. 

• Doubt is inevitable.

• However, doubting the resurrection takes more faith than believing in it.

• One single event, the resurrection, shaped the entire fabric of human history.

• It’s the reason that you will see crosses all over Rome today.

• It’s the reason hospitals, orphanages, and nonprofits are built by Christian organizations.

• It’s the reason there are churches in every country in the world.

• It’s the reason that people's lives are being dramatically changed every single day.

• It’s the reason that you and I have hope. It’s all because death is merely a doorway to an eternity with God. 

• The resurrection is proof that God can redeem the darkest of situations— even death. 

• If Jesus can overcome death. He can certainly help you deal with your doubt.

TALK IT OUT 

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Q1: Work together to summarize the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Q2: What reasons have you heard people provide for questioning the validity of Jesus’ resurrection?

Q3: What facts help you comprehend that Jesus’ death and resurrection are true?

Q4: What is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection? What does it mean for us?

Q5: If you believe in Jesus’ resurrection, what should your respond be to such a supernatural sacrifice? How do you want to live in accordance with that response this week?

READING PLAN

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

1 Samuel 17:1-18

Psalm 4:8

Daniel 1:3-7

Luke 24:1-12 2

Corinthians 5:3-7

Hebrews 11:1-4

Hebrews 11:39-40

Do the following with each passage: 

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.