Jesus is our hope, but can we prove it?

As Christians, we know this to be true. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to articulate it as clearly to an increasingly secular and skeptical world.

There are multiple clues in our society that people are searching for assurance in life, and the afterlife. They seeking something to cling to.

So where’s the breakdown?

It often comes up when we use Biblical language without adequate explanation and/or reference to that language. For example, imagine a friend or neighbour asks you, “Why do you have so much hope?” And we reply with one of the following:

• “Because I’ve been born again.”
• “Because I’ve become a new creation in Jesus.”

Although these answers are theologically true, they’re confusing to our increasingly post-Christian society.

And that’s okay! We know from Scripture, that these terms were confusing when Jesus and the Apostles used them. People struggled to understand then, and so we should not be surprised when we have to dive deep into explaining what happened at the cross, the empty tomb, and what will happen when Jesus returns.

This is all part of sharing the hope we have in the Gospel. Consider the following Biblical explanations.

Jesus Explains Being Born Again

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

John 3:1-7

Peter Explains the Power of the Resurrection

“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

1 Peter 1:3-5

What about skeptic push-back?

Sometimes, we provide Biblical references, with concise explanations, but the skeptic will still push back. Related to the hope of the Gospel, I have experienced two major push-backs.

• “Jesus followers fabricated the story.”
• “There’s no real historic evidence.”

Let’s unpack both of these and how to defend the hope of the Gospel.

Push-Back #1: “Jesus followers fabricated the story.”

There are a number of significant components to the Gospel account that can provide validation for the skeptic.

First, women were the first witnesses of the empty tomb. (Mt. 28, Mk. 16, Lk. 24, Jn. 20)

In our modern context, this would not be significant. However, in the First Century context, if someone wanted to fabricate an account, choosing women would not be a great way to validate it.

Instead, one would definitely choose men, and important men if possible, within the religious or political systems. Therefore, choosing average women to be the first witness would have set the stage for a weak defence.

Second, there are a number of accounts that followed the women at the tomb, that give us different details.

Each account is unique with varying scenarios and conversations. This actually provides validity, that the Resurrected Jesus interacted with each person as individuals.

• Peter (Lk. 24)
• Two Men on the Road to Emmaus (Mk. 16, Lk. 24)
• Disciples without Thomas (Mk. 16, Jn. 20)
• Disciples with Thomas (Jn. 20)
• Seven Disciples by the Sea (Jn. 21)
• Disciples on the Mountain (Mt. 28)
• Disciples at the Mount of Olives – Ascension (Lk. 24)

If the story was fabricated, each person would give the same detailed account with little to no variation. For example, in the investigative reporting world, too many connecting details actually points to a lie, with individuals trying to memorize and repeat the same story.

Third, there is also an important New Testament text that speaks to many more witnesses.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reminds the early church about the many witnesses of the resurrected Christ. Including an account where Jesus appeared to more than 500 witnessed at one time!

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Corinthians 15:3-9

Paul mentions that many of these 500 are still alive. This is important as if Paul is saying, “If you don’t believe me, go ahead and ask them!”

Lee Strobel, an atheist investigative reporter, who converted to Christianity through his research, brings further clarity to the testimony given in the Gospel accounts.

“This was not merely a fleeting observance of a shadowy figure by one or two people. There were multiple appearances to numerous people, and several of the appearances were confirmed…not only are Jesus’ appearances mentioned regularly, but details are also provided, and the theme of the disciples being a witness of these things is found in almost every context.”

Lee Strobel, “A Case for the Resurrection”

Push-Back #2: “There’s no real historic evidence.”

This is for the skeptic who wants validation from non-biblical accounts. Although archeologists and historians have vastly proven the authority and validity of the New Testament accounts, we can offer the following defence.

First, let’s begin with what is not disputed in the historical record:

• Jesus Christ was crucified under Roman authority. The Roman Empire was very skilled in executing people and keeping a record of it.
• Jesus Christ was buried in a tomb, again under Roman authority. The Roman military oversaw the entire process.
• Jesus Christ went missing three days later. The tomb where he was laid was empty, with Roman soldiers stationed outside the tomb not knowing where the body was.

Now, if there was a body, the Roman military authority or the Jewish religious authority would have simply gone to the tomb, displayed his body to the world, and the Gospel would have ended then and there.

That didn’t happen. There was a significant mystery that numerous parties were desperate to figure out. Therefore, the real historic evidence is found in the subsequent events.

Second, consider the writings of the Roman historian, Tacitus.

Tacitus wrote about Emperor Nero’s attempts to quash the Gospel movement of Christianity.

“Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus [Christ], from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition [the Resurrection], thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea.”

Tacitus, The Annals

This account is important. Not only was Tacitus an authoritative voice at this time. He was not a Christian, nor had no invested interest in the resurrection account. And yet, clearly, the Christians that Nero was hunting down absolutely believed the resurrection of Jesus Christ to be true. They gave their lives to this belief!

Third, consider the writings of the Jewish historian, Josephus.

Also not a Christian, Josephus wrote about the events surrounding Christ and His followers.

“So he [Ananus] assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus who was called Christ, whose name was James: and some others; [or, some of his companions.] And when he had formed an accusation against them…he delivered them to be stoned.”

Josephus, Ant. 20.200

This is also an important account. Why? Because it speaks about the younger brother of Jesus. Our siblings know us best and are our biggest skeptics. It’s one thing for James to side with Jesus while He was still alive, but if Jesus was dead, James would not have laid down his life for a lie.

Clearly, James, the brother of Jesus, believed in the resurrection and the Gospel which was spreading like wildfire.

In fact, they all believed. If this was an elaborate lie, and Jesus was actually dead and buried elsewhere, or His body was burned, then the movement would have ended. Spreading the Gospel would cost the lives of all of Jesus’ core followers, and all of the early church leaders. John alone lived but was exiled for the Gospel.

Fourth, consider the 20th-century historian, Will Durant.

Although he too was not Christian, had to submit to the evidence of the First Century Gospel movement. In looking over every historical account outside of the Bible, he concluded the following:

“The denial of that existence seems never to have occurred even to the bitterest gentile or Jewish opponents of nascent Christianity…That a few simple men should in one generation have invented so powerful and appealing a personality, so lofty an ethic and so inspiring a vision of human brotherhood, would be a miracle far more incredible than any recorded in the Gospels.”

Will Durant, “The Story of Civilization”

Finally, consider Christianity throughout history and today.

Consider the spread of the Gospel throughout history, and even throughout the world today. Every time the church (Christians) faces difficulty, the Gospel spreads. Currently, 1/3 of the World are Christians, based on the belief that Jesus rose from the dead, and because of that resurrection, have eternal life.

So where do find assurance? What can we cling to?

Let’s recap the key truths of the Gospel.

• We were created to be in a relationship with God. This is humanity’s purposed identity.
• Sin has broken our relationship with God. This is humanity’s natural and chosen problem.
• Sin can be removed through Jesus. This is humanity’s only solution.

Then, as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus is our hope!

Through Jesus, we become a New Creation. Through Jesus, our relationship with God can be restored. This is humanity’s absolute assurance and hope. And the greatest evidence will be when Christ returns and calls us to our eternal home!

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts:

• What is the most compelling evidence for Christ’s resurrection, and our hope of eternal life?
• What is the greatest barrier to believing in Christ’s resurrection, and our hope of eternal life?