About this episode
Prior to everyone on the planet having an I-phone ready to record, the only verification of any historical event were the eyewitness accounts. In 1 Corinthians chapter 15 Paul recounts the many eyewitnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus from dead.Some deny the Resurrection The disciples lied and stole Christ’s body to support their lie What if the disciples just made the whole thing up? What if the whole story of the Resurrection was a fabrication by the apostles? But the main problem with the Deception hypothesis is this: Why would you give your life for a lie? Furthermore, how could you get more than 500 people to conspire and carry out the same lie over 50 years with no earthly benefit? Many of the apostles and first Christians were martyred in horrible, horrible ways. Who on earth would die for something they know isn’t true? You may give your life for something you mistakenly think is true – but we have no case in history of someone dying for something that they know is a hoax. The word “martyr,” as is commonly known, is actually taken from the Greek word for “witness,” and it is precisely the martyrdom of the early Christians that witnesses to the sincerity of their belief. You may think they were wrong, but they sure didn’t think they were. Jesus died and rose from the dead so that He could offer the same possibility to us if we choose to believe and live according to the will of God. St. Thomas Aquinas writes: "The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods."The Resurrection of Jesus gives us meaning, hope and happiness. If we come from nothing; and we are going toward nothing after death; then nothing really matters which makes a person feel like you don’t matter, your just a random occurrence. There is no meaning, no hope of something to look forward to. Oh sure, I can have some pleasure now but most of my time is work and there is a lot of pain – why endure it? But if Jesus has risen from the dead, then he is God. there is a God who made the world and made me with a design and purpose – to reach heaven and the resurrection – never ending perfect happiness – that is my destination – that is what I hope in. This gives meaning to my life for now my prayer, work, joy and suffering prepare me for eternity and I can help others to eternity by offering up these things. Without the Resurrection of Jesus – there is Nothing! With the Resurrection there is Everything. The Devil wants to obscure the Resurrection The devil wants us to fear, hate one another, cause division, despair and give up and ultimately kill ourselves. This is precisely the path he led Judas down and it’s the way he wants to lead all people. Do not give in to fear hate and despair. You are not alone. Jesus has risen and he lives in your soul. Turn to Him there. Surrender yourself to Him. Then Hope. Hope means to have a firm confidence that Jesus is going to work everything out in Heaven. (Spe Salvi 43). God can’t make what has happened not to have happened. He can’t change the past, that would be a denial of human freedom. Throughout our lives, God is orchestrating everything. Hope says we will place our bets on Christ.