Every year at this time

Why is the resurrection such a target?

Some say it is incidental

But then why be adamant that it could not have happened?

“Jesus didn’t really DIE on the cross”

“Jesus was killed on the cross and his body was taken by his family.”

“Jesus’ human appearance died on the cross”

All have different ideas

•    DaVinci Code: Jesus didn’t die on the cross

•    Gospel of Judas: Jesus lost his human appearance on the cross

•    Lost Tomb of Jesus: Jesus died and his body was taken away by his family.

One idea they share:
no resurrection

•    DaVinci Code: Jesus didn’t die on the cross

•    Gospel of Judas: Jesus lost his human appearance on the cross

•    Lost Tomb of Jesus: Jesus died and his body was taken away by his family.

Concrete resurrection is unthinkable

For them Jesus is just another religious figure

Jesus is just another religious figure

•    Jesus taught us to love one another

•    Jesus is a symbol of hope to people who are in pain

•    Jesus is a name to pray to

•    Jesus is an example of virtue

Is Jesus just like other religious figures?

The kinds of things Jesus said about himself

Why do so many feel that the resurrection MUST be dismissed?

Jesus’ resurrection was of a different category than other resurrection stories

Everyone else raised from the dead lived to die once more.

Eye witness accounts

If Jesus was just a man, just a teacher, just a guru…

•    Then we are just left with more “oughts”.

–   How do we do with “oughts”

–   How many “oughts” do you fulfill, do you ignore, do you rebel against?

–   What about the “oughts” that you don’t, can’t know about?

If Christianity is a lie, it is a terrible one

•    Jesus tells us to:

–   Love our enemies

–   Lay down our lives for others

–   Lose our lives for his sake

•    That makes no sense in this world.

–   It might make things nicer for others but life is short. Why not take all you can!

Jesus didn’t come just

•    To give us new information

•    To give us new moral teaching

•    To make you feel good inside

•    To help you get to heaven

Jesus came to save the world

•    The remaking of the world “our way” has brought disastrous consequences

•    He has to do it because we can’t

•    He then is our substitute and our model

–   First fruits

If I am struck by a car crossing Florin Rd. and the paramedics resuscitate me…

The resurrection means a new world is coming!

What kind of a center is God?

Look at his son.

What does the resurrection change?

•     If there is no resurrection

–   You are just dust seeking to maximize your pleasant experiences and minimize your unpleasant ones.

•     The cross now makes sense and brings hope

–   The sacrificial self-giving that looks so pointless in this world is finally vindicated

–   The hopeless, pointless efforts to bless while everyone else curses will actually bear fruit