He Is Risen: Hold On

Introduction

The resurrection refers to the miracle of Jesus coming back to life three days after He had died.

It is central to the validity and authenticity of Christianity. Without it, Christianity has no value and purpose. 1 Cor 15:19. it will fall!

There is no reason to hold on to Jesus if Jesus is still in the grave

The bible is not the only historical document to mention the resurrection:

[Tacitus, the ancient Roman historian writing in approximately A.D. 115, documented Christ’s physical demise when he wrote concerning the Christians that “their originator, Christ, had been executed in Tiberius’ reign by the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilatus” (1952, 15.44).] - Annals and the Histories

Talmud acknowledged the death of Jesus. According to the earlier rabbis, Jesus of Nazareth was a transgressor in Israel who practised magic, scorned the words of the wise, led the people astray, and said that he had not come to destroy the law but to add to it. He was hanged on Passover Eve for heresy and misleading the people (Bruce, 1953, p. 102, emp. added).

Archaeologist Edwin Yamauchi stated: Even if we did not have the New Testament or Christian writings, we would be able to conclude from such non-Christian writings such as Josephus, the Talmud, Tacitus, and Pliny the Younger that...he [Jesus—KB] was crucified under Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius (1995, p. 222). Jesus Under Fire

Here are some things that the resurrection does

Builds your conviction in the things of God

Reassures that what you do is not pointless

It encourages you to hold on no matter what

Fact 1: Jesus died

"pierced His side with a spear” Jn 19:34

“blood and water came out” Jn 19:34

However it was not enough for Jesus to just die; He had to rise

Fact 2: Jesus rose

The empty tomb Jn 20:2

Maybe Jesus didn’t die (comatose state)

How did he unwrap himself? Jn 20:5-6

How did He move the stone? Jn 20:1

How did he move the stone without alerting the guards? Matt 27:62-65

Maybe the disciples stole the body

They did not understand scripture that He must rise again Jn 20:9

What about the soldiers? Matt 27:62-65

Maybe the women went to the wrong tomb

The response of the disciples

They went from faith to fearless

Peter Acts 2,3, 4:2;19-20

My Response

Consider 1 Cor 15:14-19 - If the resurrection did not happen

Preaching is vain - Preaching will not be helpful

Faith is vain - Our faith is only as great as the object of our faith

Built of lies (not he truth)

Still in our sins

Those who died are lost

We are most miserable

Paula Fredriksen (NT scholar) said:

I know in their own terms what they saw was the raised Jesus. That’s what they say, and then all the historic evidence we have afterwards attest to their conviction that that’s what they saw. I’m not saying that they really did see the raised Jesus. I wasn’t there. I don’t know what they saw. But I do know that as a historian that they must have seen something.

What…rather who they saw, was Jesus!