1. We have only 10 ancient documents verifying the historicity of the GALLIA WARS of Julius Caesar, with the oldest available document 1000 years removed from the event described.

2. We have only 5 ancient documents that tell us of the life of the great Aristotle, with the oldest copy 1400 years removed from the time of his life.

3. But in regards to the Bible, there are over 2000 manuscripts of the New Testament alone which are essentially identical to the copies we have today. The oldest manuscript has been authentically dated to within a single generation (less than 100 years) of all the events described, especially the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Yet how many today doggedly refuse to believe that Julius Caesar or Aristotle ever lived? Why Christians and non-Christians, atheists, agnostics, you name them – all believe without a doubt these people lived and did the things claimed in the historical writings. Yet, why then do so many refuse to believe and furthermore, scoff at the reliability and historicity of the Bible and the events described therein?

The answer is  ¾ since there is no proof to disbelieve, rather astounding proof for all to believe, therefore it is a choice not to believe, based only on one’s personal attitude toward accepting the historically attested events. Friend, the Bible irrefutably tells us that in the first century there was a man named Jesus Christ who lived and died, but most dramatic of all, who ROSE FROM THE DEAD, as He personally predicted. Now you can choose to believe that or not, but if you do not then the credibility of all else, I mean “all” other historical records must also be rejected. Yes the Bible is king in the area of the most believable historical records, and will always remain so.

Now as this is the Easter holiday season, let’s read first hand, what the Bible says about the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ We begin with Christ’s moment of death,

Mark 15:42-47 (NIV) Now it was the day before the Sabbath, as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea… went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

Mark 16:1-14 (NIV)  When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. 9 [Now]  when Jesus rose (from the dead) early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Now the Resurrection story continues in the words of the apostle Paul who later wrote,

1 Cor 15:5-9 (NIV)  and that he [Jesus] appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Cor 15:12-19 (NIV)  But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

1 Cor 15:20 (NIV)  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

There you have a synopsis of the resurrection story. There is more detail, but you can read that yourself some time. But for now, all of us must contend with what history records, and the reliability of manuscripts that tell of an event that took place long ago. Time will not permit me to give you other astounding evidences of the reality that JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND IS ALIVE. The point is, if you believe anything of the past, the Bible and the resurrection of Christ is the most reliable historical record!

Now having said that and believed it myself, what benefit does it have for anyone today? The answer is if Christ rose from the dead, and He did, everything else He performed and promised will also come to pass and is true. Indeed, Jesus promised us many things. For those who put their trust in Him for eternity, He said,

John 14:1-3 (NIV)  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 3:16-21 (NIV)  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

Yes, Jesus promised that all who follow Him, by faith, and turn their lives over to Him acknowledging who He is – God the Creator come in human flesh ¾ will also one day be raised from the dead to live eternally in the blissful presence of God in Christ.

Yes, this Easter weekend all who have believed in Christ as their God and Savior, rejoice to know that one day we shall all be raised from the dead as Christ was. Paul the apostle tells us about this coming promised glorious moment,

1 Th 4:13-18 (NIV)  Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Moreover, Jesus Himself said,

John 14:6 (NIV)   “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The fact that Christ rose from the dead, is the hope and joy of every Christian, and guarantees that at the judgment of humanity coming in eternity, all those who are “in” Christ by faith will be spared Hell to come and granted the gift of Heaven and enter eternal life. Since Christ did indeed rise from the dead, He now offers to all who will believe in Him, the same promise of life eternal, forgiveness of sins, and the gift of God’s Spirit to guide us through this life and into eternity. The question before you today is  ¾ have you so believed, or better yet, will you so believe? You see, no one can afford to be an agnostic or atheist regarding Jesus Christ and His resurrection. The mounting and overwhelming evidence supports His claim and demands your consideration. Yes, HE IS ALIVE, and Jesus says,

Rev 3:20 (NIV)  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

By the door, such meaning can be described as the access point of your heart, mind and intellect. Jesus desires you to receive Him so that He may be your Savior and Lord. HE IS ALIVE! He proved He was and forever is our Creator God. The question is why won’t you believe? The answer can only be the wickedness of your heart to say “no” to God ruling your life. That my friend, may be anyone’s choice, but it is a bad choice, and the consequences are unthinkable. How much better to believe the most attested to thing in the world, verified most carefully and judged reliable more than any other truth – CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE. Oh may the living and resurrected Christ appear before your heart today and may you open your heart to be saved today!..

…Some doubt the resurrection of Christ because they say “Easter” is not in the Bible. The latter is true as far as the original text of the Bible is concerned, but the celebration called Easter is simply a time period set aside to remember the historically accurate truth – Christ was at this time of the year, crucified, buried and risen again. We can all chose to reject this, but only against the overwhelming evidences of historical probability, and countless witnesses who testify to its truthfulness, not to mention the turning over of their lives to live and die for Him. May this Easter celebration remind us of the need for sinners to be saved from their sins, and realize Christ died for them and rose again to offer His life as a substitute payment for our sins for all eternity. Yes the Bible’s message is ¾ all who receive Christ into their heart, mind and life will receive His payment for sins applied their sin account, and thus be freed to live with God for all eternity. Hallelujah He is risen from the dead! He is alive forevermore, and so shall we live. How about you?