Easter, without a physically living Jesus, would be a fantasy. Central to the Christian's faith is that Jesus did rise from the dead in a real, recognisable and functional body. Jesus' resurrection body could be touched, and could eat a meal - even though it had the additional ability to appear in a locked room and disappear after a conversation. In His body Jesus ascended into heaven, and one day He will come again in the same body (Acts 1:11).
The disciples were glad when they physically recognised the Lord. It was no hallucination: on one occasion over 500 people saw Jesus at the same time (1 Corinthians 15:6).
Why does this matter? It is the difference between fact and fiction. If this is false then we are all wasting our lives. If it is true, then Jesus is the only way to eternal life.
Many devout religious people want to know if Jesus really did die and then rise from the dead. If He did, then they will seriously consider following Him!
BeaconLight has now released a new micro-website for people wanting to know if there is credible evidence for Jesus' resurrection.
Go to the microsite here: evidence.beaconlight.co.uk
Jesus' resurrection body proved that His sacrifice for our sins had been accepted - and that Father God did not abandon His body to the grave (Acts 2:31).
The resurrection validated His promise that He will raise up all who come to Him (John 6:39-40). His resurrection body is proof that we will also be given a new body when Jesus comes again (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). Just like His body, our new bodies will never perish.
The living Lord Jesus will physically come to earth again with all those who have trusted Him for salvation - each in their own resurrection body - in the clouds! All those believers who are still alive will be caught up from the earth, in resurrection bodies, to meet the Lord and His church in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)!
This is our hope - the confidence that one day we will not only be with the Lord in spirit but also in a new body that can never perish, spoil or fade ... just like our inheritance in God's eternal presence (1 Peter 1:3-5).
Although many religions promote the idea of another life after death, none can point to any evidence that it is possible - apart from in the Bible. Jesus proved that only He could conquer death.
The proven resurrection of Jesus is a message loaded with supreme hope for the future. It is the message that sustains the poor and persecuted, and gives courage to evangelists in the face of opposition. As the Apostle Paul said, if Jesus had not been raised with a physical body, then our preaching is lies and our faith is worthless, our sins are unforgiven and death is the end.
"... But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep! (1 Corinthians 15:15-23)".
This Easter, don't limit joy to eggs and chicks, share the news that Jesus really did rise from the dead. Please share the 'Evidence' microsite (evidence.beaconlight.co.uk), look at the Scripture references and talk about the evidence of Jesus' resurrection with your friend or colleague.
Please do, and let us know how you get on!
Wishing you a very Happy Easter!
Go to the microsite here: evidence.beaconlight.co.uk