Jesus didn’t just claim to be the Messiah—He fulfilled what no one else ever could, and proved it through the resurrection. The evidence is overwhelming. The choice is yours.
1. The Window Is Closed
- Many prophecies required the Messiah to come before the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.
- If Jesus isn’t the Messiah, then no one else can be—it’s too late.
2. Outside Sources Confirm Jesus Was Real
- Josephus (Jewish historian, 90s AD): Confirmed Jesus’ existence, His crucifixion, and His connection to James and the early Christian movement.
- Tacitus (Roman historian, 2nd century): Confirmed Jesus’ death under Pontius Pilate and Roman persecution of early Christians.
- These men were not Christians. Their records show Jesus is not a religious invention.
3. The Gospels Are Reliable Historical Documents
- Written within a generation of Jesus’ death—while eyewitnesses were still alive.
- Include embarrassing details and countercultural facts (like women discovering the empty tomb).
- Mark’s Gospel likely written from Peter’s firsthand preaching.
- These are not myths—they are firsthand testimony.
4. 1 Corinthians 15 Preserves the Earliest Christian Creed
- Dated within 1–3 years of Jesus’ resurrection.
- Lists eyewitnesses including Peter, James, and over 500 others.
- Too early to be legend—this was the core belief from the beginning.
5. The Disciples Were Transformed by What They Saw
- Before the resurrection: scared, scattered, silent.
- After the resurrection: bold, united, unstoppable.
- Most died for their faith—not because they believed something they heard, but because of something they saw.
6. The Tomb Was Empty—and Even Jesus’ Enemies Knew It
- Women were the first to discover it (culturally inconvenient, historically reliable).
- Religious leaders claimed the disciples stole the body—which confirms the tomb was empty.
- The apostles preached the resurrection in Jerusalem, where people could have easily disproven it if it wasn’t true.
7. Miracles Are Reasonable If God Exists
- If God created the universe (Genesis 1), then resurrection is not a stretch.
- Naturalism can’t explain everything from nothing—but Scripture and science both point to a Creator.
8. The Resurrection Is the Best Explanation for the Evidence
Alternative theories (hallucination, legend, theft) all fall short:
- Group hallucinations don’t happen.
- Legends don’t form overnight.
- People don’t die for what they know is a lie.
The best explanation?
Jesus rose from the dead.
9. The Resurrection Isn’t Just a Fact—It’s a Call
- Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
- Don’t just accept the evidence—act on it.
- Acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Surrender your life. Follow Him.
- Because if you truly believe—John 14:12, “Whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do.”
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