by Religion is bondage and superstition. Satan masquerades as an angel of light(2Cor. 11:13-15) and religion is his main weapon of deception going back to Cain the first religionist and first murderer, whereas the resurrection is a historic FACT.
Did Jesus Christ really rise again from the dead? Examine the evidence:
The tomb was empty: The disciples preached of the Resurrection in Jerusalem.
If they were lying about the facts, the Jewish leaders would have produced the body and removed all doubts(Matthew 28:6).
The large stone blocking the doorway had been rolled away: Witnesses who saw the massive stone noticed it stood up on a slope away from the entire tomb(Luke 24:2).
The Roman soldiers guarding the tomb fled the scene: Roman soldiers were to fulfill their duties under penalty of death. The fact that they abandoned their posts at the tomb supports the miraculous account of the Resurrection(Matthew 28:4, 11).
The grave clothes of Christ were empty, yet still intact: When Peter and John found Christ’s empty grave clothes in the tomb, they had not been disturbed. The grave clothes retained their original form like an empty cocoon(John 20:5-7).
Over 500 people witnessed Christ’s appearances after the Resurrection: These people could attest to having literally seen Jesus in the flesh after His Resurrection(1Corinthians 15:5-8).
Those who deny the Resurrection have tried to refute it. Some believe the women who reported the missing body went to the wrong tomb. If this were true, then the tomb they went to would also have the massive stone removed, and the body that was in there would also be gone, or the body could have been produced to prove them wrong.
Others claim the appearances of Jesus after His Resurrection were hallucinations. However, it is not possible that over 500 people had the same hallucination. Hallucinations happen only to those who want to believe something is true. Doubting Thomas REFUSED to believe in the Resurrection until he personally saw Jesus(John 20:24-29).
Another theory states Jesus did not really die, but simply fainted and revived. Is it possible for a person to survive the crucifixion, live for three days in an airless tomb without any nourishment, and roll a two-ton stone away from the entrance?
The Jewish leaders declared Christ’s disciples stole His body(Matthew 28:12-15). Yet, the disciples (who were poor) would not have the money to bribe the Roman guards, and each of the disciples defended Jesus’ Resurrection and suffered persecution for their belief. Few people will die for a known lie.
The evidence demands a verdict. You must make a decision. You can reject the evidence and the Saviour, or you can deny the evidence and reject the Saviour.
The risen Christ invites you to accept Him as your Saviour. He shed His blood, was crucified, buried, and rose again three days later. This validated His claim to be the Son of God.
Romans 5:8. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
1Corinthians 15-1 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
You may not want to believe because you simply don’t understand. You’ve been a good person all your life so you expect to make it to Heaven. So many different paths seem to lead to God. Why should you limit yourself to one route?
Jesus taught, I am the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN cometh unto the Father, but by me(John 14:6).
If He had stayed in the grave, those words would have been meaningless assertions. But since He arose from the dead, each claim was VALIDATED.
1Jn.5:9 “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
Believe that Christ died for your sins (suffered your punishment) and that He was buried (this is where he leaves your sins), and that He rose again the third day (this brings You justification before God) 1Cor.15:1-4
By doing this God will forgive you, Seal you, save you from the wrath to come, give you eternal life with Him, and much more…ALL BY HIS GRACE !
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Grab this most wonderful gift, and just say Thank You God!