Who knows the true way to heaven?
Who is right---Buddha, Mohammed, or Jesus?
What difference does it make if we're Hindus, Scientologists or Christians?
Casually religious people are confused about the many religions in the world. When pressed as to which one is right, they'll respond, "Religions are like roads leading us to a mountain top. We have several choices, but in the end, one is about as good as the other."
I disagree with this philosophy completely.
First, it implies that God, the Great Creator of our universe, who planned creation down to the finite details (look in a microscope or a telescope) has left the way to heaven up in the air, undecided.
Second, universalism (that all religions are right) doesn't make sense. It's like playing tennis without lines and the net down---every ball can't be within bounds and ruled okay.
Who really has the truth about God? The parable is told about three major religious leaders who stood before the jury of the world.
The jurors would decide if Mohammed, Buddha or Jesus had the truth about God. Mohammed spoke first and eloquently declared his understanding of the Almighty. Then Buddha and finally Jesus spoke.
The jury began their deliberations but couldn't decide who was right. They called the three forward and said, "Religion is very confusing and we cannot agree. So, we've decided to wait until the three of you die. Then the first one who rises from the dead---has the truth about God."
When it comes to rising again from the dead---Jesus has no competition. Buddha is dead, Mohammed doesn't have believable evidence of resurrection---Jesus is the only leader of a major religion who broke the chains of death and arose again as He promised.
Why is the resurrection so important? Simply this: Anyone can claim they have a revelation from God, but only someone who is God can walk out of his own tomb! It's easy to preach sermons but rising again from the dead on the third day is the hard part.
Here are 17 reasons why I believe in the resurrection of Jesus:
1. THE TOMB IS EMPTY.
The angel said, "Come see the place where the Lord lay" (Matt. 28:1-8).
What does it say?
It says He's alive!
2. THERE WERE WITNESSES AT THE TOMB.
Mary Magdalene, Peter and John and others saw the empty grave. (See Matthew 28:9-10 and Mark 16:9-11.)
3. JESUS APPEARED TO THE APOSTLE PETER.
(See Matthew 28: 16-17.)
4. ELEVEN APOSTLES SAW JESUS ALIVE AS THEY WERE EATING.
(See Mark 16:14.)
5. THE TWO DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS VISITED AND ATE DINNER WITH THE RESURRECTED CHRIST.
(See Luke 24:13-30.)
6. FIVE HUNDRED SAW JESUS THE DAY OF HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN.
(See Luke 24:44-53.)
7. JAMES, THE HALF BROTHER OF JESUS, SAW HIM ALIVE.
(See 1 Corinthians 15:7.)
8. PAUL MET JESUS CHRIST, ALIVE, ON HIS WAY TO DAMASCUS.
(See Acts 9:1-8.)
9. THE SUDDEN BIRTH OF THE CHURCH REVEALS THE DISCIPLES HAD SEEN THE RISEN CHRIST!
After the crucifixion they hid behind locked doors in fear they would also be put to death. What transformed them from cowards into commandos? They had seen Jesus alive!
10. DEVOUT JEWS CHANGED THE DAY OF WORSHIP FROM THE SABBATH TO SUNDAY.
"On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting" (Acts 20:7-8).
11. JESUS APPEARED AT NUMEROUS TIMES TO HIS DISCIPLES OVER A 40-DAY PERIOD.
He proved himself alive over and over again.
12. NOTICE THAT JESUS APPEARED IN PERSON TO HIS FOLLOWERS WHO WERE MEETING TOGETHER IN GROUPS.
It is highly unlikely they were having hallucinations. Jesus, knowing that Thomas was having trouble believing it was He, told him to put his fingers in the holes in His hands and His side. (See John 20:26-29.)
13. NEITHER THE ROMANS NOR THE JEWS DENIED THE RESURRECTION. THEY ONLY THREATENED THE DISCIPLES NOT TO PREACH ABOUT IT!
(See Acts 5:38-40.)
14. THE ENEMIES OF JESUS COULD NOT PRODUCE THE BODY.
The great question skeptics must answer is: What happened to the body of Jesus? It couldn't have been stolen because the temple soldiers guarded it against thieves. (See Matthew 27:65-66). And if His body wasn't stolen, why didn't the Lord's enemies drag His corpse into the square and put a stop to the preaching of the resurrection right then and there?
The answer is: HE WAS ALIVE!
TODAY WE HAVE EVEN MORE EVIDENCE OF HIS RESURRECTION!
15. WE HAVE SEEN THE EVIDENCE OF THE LIVING CHRIST IN THE LIVES OF SINNERS REBORN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Jesus has made new men and women out of discards, rejects and castaways. Their transformed lives reveal that Christ is alive.
One converted drunk said, "I've never seen Jesus turn water into wine. But I have seen Him turn the money I used to spend on alcohol into groceries for the kids, a better house and a nicer car."
16. WE HAVE FELT THE LIVING PRESENCE OF JESUS IN MEETINGS WHERE WE GATHER IN HIS NAME.
Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).
17. WE CAN FEEL JESUS ABIDING WITHIN US BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Paul the Apostle said, "I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20)
I can feel the presence of Jesus within me with more certainty than I can feel your presence. You can be near me but Christ dwells in me. This is the miracle of Christianity. Education can put a new coat on a man---but Jesus Christ can put a new man in the coat---by dwelling in him!
The resurrection of Jesus Christ means:
- Jesus is the one true way to God!
- You and I will live again!
- God will defeat Satan!
- God will conquer evil!
- Heaven is real and our mansions are waiting!
- Our future is fantastic!
- Jesus Christ will live as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and rule with His saints forever.
HALLELUJAH!