Friends, the hope God provides is real. So real that we can gaze at the historical reality of the cross (AD 30 or 33) and daily consider the significance of the empty tomb.

And while the library of documents we call the Bible (66 books written over 1,500yrs by 40+ people from different regions) are reliable resources, many hearts are astounded to consider that information also exists about Jesus outside of the Bible! (1)

A few examples of these non-Christian, historical sources are Flavius Josephus (Jewish historian), Suetonius (Roman historian), the Talmud (a text of Rabbinic Judaism), and Cornelius Tacitus (Roman historian and senator). And what do they show us?

✔️Jesus was a real man, ✔️he was crucified on a Roman cross, and ✔️produced an empty tomb. Not to mention ✔️had numerous followers who were martyred for what they earnestly believed. These facts are undisputed by the vast majority of modern day scholars (non-Christian, included).

To add, Dr. Craig Hazen from Biola explains that other worldviews and religions acknowledge Jesus’s existence: “In Hinduism, Jesus emerges in some Hindus’ minds as one of the greatest teachers ever to walk the earth. In Buddhism, if not an incarnation of the Buddha, Jesus certainly is a great Bodhisattva who leads people to the precipice of enlightenment. In Islam, Jesus is a greater prophet than Mohammad, was born of a virgin, is remembered as a miracle worker, and holds the scales of justice at the end of time.” (2)

As Cold Case Detective and Apologist J Warner Wallace explains, “Jesus doesn’t matter because He influenced the world. Jesus influenced the world because He matters…Jesus is who He said he was: God incarnate.“ (3)

You might not need to do research, or desire extra evidence, but maybe your son or daughter might have questions. Or, possibly your neighbor. Questions are good! Please welcome them. Not having answers readily available doesn’t mean they don’t exist. (4)

This video featuring Drs Gary Habermas (Liberty University), Darrell Bock (Dallas Theological Seminary), and Mikel Del Rosario (Moody Bible) will encourage you immensely! (5)

“He is risen, Indeed!” (Luke 24:34)♥️

Resources

(1) Dr. Mikel Del Rosario: https://apologeticsguy.com/2013/03/good-friday-jesus-myth/

Zeitgeist debunked: https://youtu.be/30AunYXtYDg?si=pJmHZjkr_8B5ubCo

Archeology: https://youtu.be/kXpOLh2vNNM?si=P0VnD76nF2f9mVLH

(2) Dr. Craig Hazen: https://youtu.be/_BS6k_ZBJ9U?si=mE2ABySl1ydEMJH8

(3) Person of Interest: Why Jesus Still Matters in a World that Rejects the Bible https://a.co/d/6MzKi8x

(4) Women in Apologetics (WIA) Resources: https://womeninapologetics.com/recommended-resources/

(5) The Table Podcast with Habermas, Bock, and Del Rosario: https://tinyurl.com/nh9hhcx2

#GoodFriday #Resurrection #Jesus