THE PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION

“The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone to a worldview that provides the perspective to all of life. No matter how devastating our struggles are, the resurrection promises us a future of immeasurable good.” – Josh McDowell

The fact that Jesus died on the cross and three days later rose from the grave is foundational to the Christian faith. The miracle of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead has been discussed and debated for centuries.

The New Testament declares that Jesus Christ is one true God who became a human being. The Gospel of John begins by stating the eternal nature of Jesus.”In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God…. So the Word became human and made his home among us…” (John 1:1, 14a). Here is the clear testimony that Jesus, the eternal God, became a human.

The Jewish leaders were offended by Jesus’ claim to be God. For this reason, the Jewish authorities were trying even harder to kill Him. ”So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Jesus made some amazing claims about Himself.

Jesus claimed to do something that only God could do; He forgave sin. Jesus said the following to a paralyzed man, who was brought to Him. “…“My child, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). This claim brought a heated response from the religious leaders. They said, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins” (Mark 2:7). Jesus, by claiming the ability to forgive sin, put Himself on an equal level with God.

The fact that Jesus claimed to be God is clear. The question is, “Were His claims true?” Jesus gave evidence that He was God by doing the things only God could do. This included healing incurable diseases and raising the dead. However, according to Jesus, the one thing that would separate Him from everyone else is that He would rise from the dead three days after His death. He made a number of predictions of His resurrection. We read the following in Matthew. But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, faithless generation would ask for a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Son of Man, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights” (Matthew 12:39-40).

Jesus predicted His resurrection. Not only did He make this prediction, but He also fulfilled it by coming back from the dead. Jesus demonstrated that He could do the things only God could do, including conquering death and resurrection is evidence that He indeed is God the Son.

Discussion Questions:

How can we build a Christlike love that lasts a lifetime?
What can we do this week to start building that love?