Many Proofs (4/25/11)

Shalom,

 

     Please begin by reading Acts 1:1-3.

 

     The words used for "many proofs" in different versions of the Bible are all strong.  There's infallible proofs and convincing demonstrations and unquestionable evidences.  Jesus gave his disciples positive proof that he was alive and not just some ghostly manifestation.  Luke's Gospel dealt with this in 24:38.  Jesus said, "Look at my hands.  Look at my feet.  You can see that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do."  He left those who saw him with as much proof, actually more than enough, for them to know that his post-resurrection appearances were real events and not some kind of hallucination.

     This isn't just proof based on the report of witnesses, but this was proof by touch and sight.  When the scriptures say Jesus "appeared" to them, the word is very specific.  It means that they literally eyeballed him.  He was seen and perceived as real by those who saw him and talked with him.  They had real experiences, not dreams or visions.

     Skeptics throughout history have tried to pass off these sightings of Jesus as merely hallucinations.  They claim the disciples were caught up in mass hysteria or at the very least had overactive imaginations.  But can you believe it was only a hallucination, when at one point over 500 people saw Jesus?  That's a very large crowd to think that they all were hallucinating or under some spell.  If Jesus never rose from the dead, why didn't anyone produce his body to prove the stories wrong?  1 Cor 15:16 states that "he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time."  That's an amazing amount of people to be fooled by an illusion at the same time.

 

     In the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after his resurrection and before ascending to heaven, he made 11 recorded appearances to the disciples.  He did this to help them see the fact that he was truly alive.  He didn't banish all doubt from people's minds, but he did establish the reality that he was truly a living, breathing, and very real person.

     Jesus spoke with them, ate with them, walked with them, and sat with them.  He appeared and disappeared in miraculous ways.  When the doors were locked he had no trouble getting in or out.  He appeared out of nowhere and left the same way.  He gave them enough convincing proof by his demonstrations of his reality to encourage them in spreading the Kingdom after his ascension.

     The facts are that there's enough evidence of the resurrection of Jesus so that all humans should believe in the reality of him as Savior and Lord.  There are enough historical, archeological, and manuscript evidences to accept his reality based on these alone.  Atheists and unbelievers have worked hard to deny or disprove the fact of a Risen Lord Jesus.  Some have come to accept him Savior after finding the evidence overwhelming, verifying and not disproving the fact of the Resurrection.  Some have continued to deny and challenge the evidence through their stubborn denial of the God of the Bible.  Just know that the evidence is real and people are left "without excuse" (Rom 1:20) for their continued refusal to believe.

     But we still need faith.  The facts won't save us.  The infallible and convincing proofs won't get anyone saved or into heaven.  We need to build and improve our faith on these facts, but they aren't what will get us into or keep us in the Kingdom of Heaven.

     Former Vice President George Bush represented the United States at the funeral of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev.  He was deeply moved by a silent protest carried out by Brezhnev's widow.  She stood motionless by the coffin until seconds before it was closed.  Then, just as the soldiers touched the lid to close it, she performed an act of great courage and hope, a gesture that must surely rank as one of the profound acts of civil disobedience ever committed.  She reached down and made the sign of the cross on her husband's chest.  There in the citadel of secular, atheist power, the wife of the man who'd run it all hoped her husband was wrong.

     Mrs. Brezhnev hoped that there was another life, and that the same Jesus who showed mercy from the cross, might yet have mercy on her husband.  The Resurrection of Jesus changed the course of history forever.  The stone wasn't just rolled away so that others could get in and see that Jesus was gone.  The Resurrection is the key to our Christian faith.  It secures all the promises of heaven for us.  It ensures us that Jesus, the Firstfruits of all who will rise from the dead (1 Cor 15:20-23), will raise us up from the dead unto eternal life.

 

     First, Jesus rose from the dead, just as he said he would.  Matt 16:21 says, "From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."  Therefore, he'll also accomplish everything else that he promised.  His Word can be trusted and counted on forever and ever.  Once the reality of the event is established, there' no more need to look any other place for answers.  The Bible is true and we can trust what it says.  Christianity is historical.  It's based on real events that occurred in Israel about 2000 years ago.

     When Jesus rose from the dead, he fulfilled the purpose of the Father.  His death on the cross had provided the blood sacrifice necessary for redeeming us from sin.  His three days in the grave, experiencing the torture of Hell for us completed the atonement.  We don't need faith to know he rose from the dead, because it's a historical fact.  We need faith to trust in the ability of the redemption provided through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  To be redeemed we must accept by faith that our salvation is real because of what Jesus accomplished.

     Second, it's the living person Jesus, not some imposter who's the ruler of Yahweh's Kingdom.  Jesus told us "I am returning to my Father" (John 20:17).  Jesus ascended to heaven to take his place at the right hand of the Father.  He entered the Father's presence by right.  He didn't need help to get to him like we do.  He was obedient unto death and was able to enter the throne room of heaven in power and authority.  We now say "Jesus is Lord."  This isn't just a part of the creed we follow, but it's supposed to be a way of life.

     The disciples who saw Jesus in his post-resurrection appearances were convinced by the "many proofs" that this truly was the same Jesus they had known for three years of traveling ministry.  He continued to teach and instruct them, to prepare them for the ministry he had established.  He enabled them to preach and proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom.  That calling now falls on us.  The task isn't completed.  There are many people who need to have the Gospel of the Kingdom proclaimed in their hearing today.

     Third, we can be certain of our own resurrection because of what happened to Jesus.  Death isn't the end for us.  There is eternal life with our heavenly Father ahead of us.  This affirmation has been recognized around the world for the past 2000 years.  It's part of the creeds many churches proclaim on a regular basis.  The Apostles Creed states, "I believe in... the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting."  The Nicene Creed includes, "we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."

     Jesus is the Firstfruits.  He was a single seed planted which is now producing an abundant crop of redeemed souls.  He was buried alone, but he's no longer alone.  All those who have died as faithful believers are residing in his presence (2 Cor 5:8).  We can be assured of our personal resurrection because Jesus rose from the dead first.  Rom 10:10 informs us that belief in the resurrection is one of the foundational points of our faith.  "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord.' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

     About 1930, Communist leader Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev.  His mission was to address a huge assembly.  His subject was atheism.  For a solid hour, he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, hurling argument and ridicule.  At last he was finished and stood over what he believed to be the smoldering ashes of men's faith.  "Are there any questions?" Bukharin demanded.  A solitary man arose and asked permission to speak.  He mounted the platform and moved close to the Communist leader.  The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them.  At last he shouted the ancient orthodox greeting, "Christ is Risen!"  The vast assembly arose as one man and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche, "He is Risen indeed!"  This strongly stated truth refuted the hour-long tirade simply and directly.

 

     Can you stand in the power and joy of what Jesus accomplished on your behalf and make the same loud proclamation?  Can you speak the profound truth of the Risen Christ to our unbelieving and atheistic world?  What Jesus did back then still changes lives today.  It still applies and it still works.  It wasn't just for a chosen few, but was meant to redeem the sins of all the humans who ever have or ever will live.

     Jesus is real.  Jesus is alive.  The proof is there for the finding.  But don't depend on the facts.  Trust the Savior with all your heart and believe what the Bible tells us.  The Resurrection is the basis for the all the witnessing and ministry members of the Body of Christ do all around the world.  The irrefutable truth is that Jesus rose from the dead.  Help other people discover this truth and share the keys of the Kingdom with them.

     Go forth and proclaim:  Christ is Risen!  Christ is Risen indeed."

 

     Blessings & Peace,  Mike