“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 17
There are people who do not believe in the historical evidence of the life of Jesus. Some believe he is a mythical person like Zeus or Thor. Others believe he lived, but was not a God-Man. He was not who HE claimed to be. They say he was a good moral teacher with helpful stories to share with the masses. Others deny he was crucified. They claim his disciples made a switch beforehand. That the Roman government made a mistake in killing the wrong person. Then many don’t believe HE was resurrected from the dead. That this is a made-up story which became a legend. They disregard any evidence.
What if Jesus was a historical lie? What if HE never arrived on planet earth and fulfilled the role of the Biblical messiah? How would that have changed history?
As we view history from the rear-view mirror, imagine the difference today. If there was no Jesus, then the disciples would never have gotten together. There would be no twelve apostles. Peter and his buddies would have operated a no name business in Galilee until their deaths. Judas may have lived to become a rich zealot. Maybe becoming a governor of a province. The apostle Paul would have grown old. He might have become the head guy for the Pharisee religious establishment.
There would be no written new testament. In fact, there would be no Christian religion. The Roman catholic church would never have existed. The Jewish faith though would have continued as a small, closed group. All the books written by the early church fathers would not exist. All the cathedrals, schools, and hospitals started by missionaries would never been established.
Thought leaders over the ages would have been influence by more humanistic ideals. In fact, many of these thinkers may have created another worldly religion. Hopefully someone would replace some of the holes Christianity filled.
Western civilization would not be in existence today. What we would have in its place in anyone’s guess. It would be a different world today than it is.
In fact, if you are of the Jewish orthodox faith, then we would be waiting for the Messiah. We would be wondering why God hasn’t recently spoken to us. It has only been some two-thousand, four-hundred years since Malachi was written (last book in the Old Testament).
Yes, life would be different.
But historical evidence does exist. No historical figure has been more scrutinized than the life of Jesus. The written manuscripts from the early church along with secular confirmations abound. The archeology discoveries continue to confirm historical facts. Even today, as people are introduced to Jesus, their lives are being transformed. This is a testimony of a living God confirming HIS story.
When one researches the evidence and is sincere to seek the truth, one can only acknowledge HE lived. HE died. HE was resurrected. HE ascended to heaven. HE claimed to be eternal while bodily on earth and HE continues to impact people’s lives today. As one learns to live in HIS presence, and seeks a relationship with HIM, one discovers life. An eternal Spirit living and flowing through them.
HE becomes the center of your life. Without HIM, there is no real meaning and purpose for life. HE is the reason for life. HE is like the sun rising each morning, HE makes everything fit into its proper place. This is why for believers all praise and honor are HIS.
Jesus gives purpose and meaning to life. Where there is no Jesus, there is only an empty life. When one comes to know Jesus, one then comes to know and experience real life.
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)
Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats:
* indicates audio version only available at Apple Books
- Power Up With Jesus Book Series- Aspirations for a Grace-Paced Life *
- The Adventurous Journey of Transformation in Christ *
- Overflowing Prayers Rooted in Jesus Christ v1 & v2
- Dancing With God: A Life-Giving Worldview *
- Great Business Emulates a Good God
- Stay Free…Avoid Worldly Traps
- Simply The Messenger
- Unequally Married
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Radical In Christ 