If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we can all just wander the world lost and empty.  But if he did rise from the dead…then Jesus is the most important person we should listen to.

Why believe Jesus rose from the dead?  It does sound quite crazy.  And here we are 2000 years later.

1) The Old Testament Prophecies

There are over 300 very specific prophecies that tell us about Jesus.  Where he would be born, how he would live, in what manner he would die and more.  These were written prior to the time of Christ and even have manuscripts prior Jesus.

In those manuscripts, prior to Jesus that speak about him, one of those matters is that Jesus would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 52:12-13).

But more importantly, Jesus himself on a number of occasions predicted not just his death but his resurrection (Mark 8:31; Mt 16:21).

Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about himself.  Jesus said himself that according to the Scriptures he was to suffer and rise from the dead.

You and I could make such a statement that we will rise from the dead.  But we did not fulfill the OT prophecies like Jesus did.

Additionally it is not something that was made up on the spot.  It had been predicted for centuries.

2) The disciples of Jesus died horrific deaths proclaiming that Jesus rose from the dead.

Would someone allow themselves to be tortured to death for something they believed was a lie?  Absolutely not.  They would only die miserable deaths if they believed so strongly that something was true.

And not just one here and there died.  They all died suffering great pain, proclaiming the death and resurrection of Jesus.

This was the climate of the time against Christians:

“Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.” (Annals, XV, 44)

3) Paul proclaimed that Jesus had appeared to 500 at the time, some of whom were alive when he wrote 1 Corinthians.

If this didn’t happen, readers could have immediately discredited what was written.  Especially those who had seen this miracle for themselves.

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:6).

4) Early historians testified to the resurrection narrative

“Jesus, while alive, was of no assistance to himself, but that he arose after death, and exhibited the marks of his punishment, and showed how his hands had been pierced by nails.”

(Origen Against Celsus, Book 2, Chapter 14
2. Origen Against Celsus, Book 2, Chapter 33
3. Origen Against Celsus, Book 2, Chapter 59
)  – Phlegon (80-140AD)

5) The Empty Tomb

The tomb had been guarded by the Romans, but it was empty.  Even with their best efforts, they could not produce the body.  They conjured up that the disciples stole Jesus’ body.

6) The Transformation of Lives

Paul hated the church and sought to destroy it.  Yet he had an experience with Jesus and saw him after his resurrection.  This event was so strong that Paul became a follower of Jesus and started preaching the death and resurrection of Jesus at great personal cost.

He had nothing to gain by following Jesus.  He had the world–money, respect, power.  And yet he gave that all up believing in his encounter with Jesus.

James, Jesus’ brother, also changed.  He too became a follower of Jesus.

All of these things together make a compelling testimony that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead.  Such an event has to challenge every person in the world.

There were other resurrections in the Bible.  But Jesus predicted his own death and raised himself.  Only God could do such a thing.

And if Jesus is God, we must listen to what he has to say.