By David Coy
Sunrise
We have been examining the greatest source of comfort and consolation, not at the birth though that indeed was important and significant, but the singular rising after a crucifixion and entombment, that just does not happen under the laws of nature. The accusation that the disciples stole Jesus body is refuted by historian Eusebius (A.D. 314-318). “Let us band together to invent all the miracle and resurrection appearances which we never saw and let us carry the sham even to death! Why not die for nothing? Why dislike torture and whipping inflicted for no good reason? Let us go out to all nations and overthrow their institutions and denounce their gods! And even if we do not convince anybody, at least we will have the satisfaction of drawing down on ourselves the punishment for our own deceit.” Even Dr. Paul Maier observed the historical evidence of the empty tomb is irrefutable: “If all the evidence is weighed carefully and fairly, it is indeed justifiable, according to the canons of historical research, to conclude the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, in which Jesus was buried, was actually empty on the morning after the Passover. And no shred of evidence has yet been discovered in literary sources, epigraphy, or archaeology that would disprove this statement.” Dr. Simon Greenleaf, a Harvard legal authority, argues the apostles would have broken under pressure if Jesus Christ had not been raised from the dead. Fact number four and five, the apostles preached and died proclaiming the physical bodily resurrection of Christ. People do not endure torture and die for a hoax. Peter, history records died in A.D. 64-68 crucified upside down. Andrew was crucified on an X (cross) tied not nailed and taking several days to die. James died in A.D. 44 beheaded. All are still dead. Christ has risen! What comfort!
This is Sunrise Aftercare.
