Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?

    Two questions have driven me deeper into my relationship with Jesus Christ.

    1. How did we get here?
    2. What do we do with the resurrection of Jesus?

    I became a Christian at a young age, but as a young adult, I chased the questions of the Christian faith. I was never a skeptic, but I wanted to know why I believe. Did I believe in Jesus simply because that was how I was raised? Or could I say with confidence that I know what I believe—and why?

    The two questions I mentioned earlier are the ones I cannot explain apart from what the Bible teaches.

    1. How did we get here? I cannot look at any aspect of science and not see the presence of an Intelligent Designer. Skeptics say science and faith don’t mix, but I disagree.  In fact, I contend it takes more faith to believe all this happened by chance than it does to believe in an Intelligent Designer who created with intention and purpose.

    2. What do we do with the resurrection of Jesus? This is the question I want to focus on. Did the resurrection really happen? Or is it something we just choose to believe because we want to?

    • Thomas Arnold, who taught at Oxford University, said: “I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great sign which God hath given us that Christ died and rose again from the dead.”
    • Lee Strobel, an investigative journalist and committed atheist, set out to debunk the resurrection of Christ. He used the tools he had used in his investigative writing, and he came to the conclusion that Jesus died—and He rose again. 

    Each spring, churches have a big celebration around the resurrection of Christ. That’s great, but I’ve discovered that most Christians join in the celebration without asking themselves why. They just assume the resurrection is true. So every year around Easter, I raise the question:

    Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

    My goal is not to create skeptics, but to get believers to realize faith in Jesus is not a blind faith. It is grounded in historical reality that cannot simply be washed away.

    It’s been a rich experience every time I’ve done this exercise with a Bible study group.  Space limits me from mentioning all the passages that help me see the historicity and validity of Christ’s resurrection. Consider this from just one passage—Luke 24:

    • Verses 1-6. The empty tomb points to the resurrection of Jesus.
    • Verses 6-8. Jesus foretold His resurrection.
    • Verses 9-12. The disciples did not invent the story; in fact, they didn’t believe it at first.
    • Verses13-35. The disciple spoke with Jesus.
    • Verses 36-40. The disciples saw Jesus physically.

    Don’t take my word for it. Research the resurrection yourself. Here are some books I’ve valued through the years on this topic:

      Give

      Subscribe to the Daybreak Devotions for Women

      Be inspired by God's Word every day! Delivered to your inbox.


      More from Lynn H. Pryor

      • featureImage

        When Church Members Wear Disguises

        We can be thankful that science and medicine have gotten good at fighting disease, but there is one parasite that is particularly pesky and hard to catch—for good reason. It’s a parasite called Ent…

        4 min read
      • featureImage

        How Much Does Your Humility Show?

        I’ve thought for years I should write a book titled: The Ten Most Humble People and How I Mentored the Other Nine. Yeah, right. Humility is a virtue we all know we need, but if we know we have it &…

        3 min read
      • featureImage

        The Benefits of Walking Backwards

        All these years, I have been walking forward, but apparently, I’m missing out. A YouTube clip popped up in my inbox on the subject, and when I investigated, I found quite a few articles telling me …

        3 min read
      • featureImage

        Influencing Those Who Come Behind Us

        When I was a little kid (AKA four-years-old), I wanted to be a train engineer and spend my days driving a train. That’s what my dad did, and I wanted to be like my dad. (This is where you say…

        4 min read
      • featureImage

        Finding Happiness in Surprising Places

        What would make you happier? Winning a massive lottery or becoming a paraplegic? You don’t have to tell me which you chose (I know), but the experience of others tells a different story. Philip Bri…

        4 min read

      Editor's Picks

      • featureImage

        Training Versus Trying Part 1

        One of the concepts that we teach at Authentic Joy is the idea that in pursuing spiritual growth we need to have a training mindset not a trying mindset. We often use the metaphor of running a mara…

        2 min read
      • featureImage

        When You’ve Lost Hope

        Have you ever faced a tough circumstance and wondered, God, where are you? Maybe you’re in one of those situations right now. I’ve had them too. That was the situation with many of Jesus’ followers after He was crucified and buried. They had lost their hopes and dreams and didn’t know where to turn. Let’s take a look at one story. Read more...

        3 min read

      More from Lynn H. Pryor

      • featureImage

        When Church Members Wear Disguises

        We can be thankful that science and medicine have gotten good at fighting disease, but there is one parasite that is particularly pesky and hard to catch—for good reason. It’s a parasite called Ent…

        4 min read
      • featureImage

        How Much Does Your Humility Show?

        I’ve thought for years I should write a book titled: The Ten Most Humble People and How I Mentored the Other Nine. Yeah, right. Humility is a virtue we all know we need, but if we know we have it &…

        3 min read
      • featureImage

        The Benefits of Walking Backwards

        All these years, I have been walking forward, but apparently, I’m missing out. A YouTube clip popped up in my inbox on the subject, and when I investigated, I found quite a few articles telling me …

        3 min read
      • featureImage

        Influencing Those Who Come Behind Us

        When I was a little kid (AKA four-years-old), I wanted to be a train engineer and spend my days driving a train. That’s what my dad did, and I wanted to be like my dad. (This is where you say…

        4 min read
      • featureImage

        Finding Happiness in Surprising Places

        What would make you happier? Winning a massive lottery or becoming a paraplegic? You don’t have to tell me which you chose (I know), but the experience of others tells a different story. Philip Bri…

        4 min read