Just think about the situation Christ’s disciples were in after He left them. Here was a group of peasants, powerless, up against the most powerful empire in the world. Possible prison time was the very least of their worries. They knew that torture and execution could be in their future if they refused to stop preaching the name of Jesus Christ.
But they couldn’t stop.
To a man, they kept talking about Christ’s life, death, and resurrection to anyone who would listen. None of them would deny or retract their story. Eventually, just as the authorities had threatened, most of them were executed for it. But still, all of them maintained to the very end that Jesus had risen from the dead—that they had seen Him, touched Him, talked with Him.
What would inspire men to suffer and die for a belief? Only one thing—the absolute certainty that their belief was true.
[…]
Which leads me inescapably to one conclusion: Jesus’ resurrection was not a lie.
I just love verse 29...
(John 20:24-29)
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Posted by: FranX at April 27, 2006 12:08 AM
By that same reasoning it would inescapably true that aliens like to anally probe people in Kansas. Colson's quote is not good logic.
Posted by: Jim at May 8, 2006 11:47 PM
To this day, there are those who suffer persecution, torture and death because of their faith in Christ Jesus. I think of this when televangelists or christian authors IN THIS COUNTRY get caught up in profit preaching or life enhancement teachings. Books like "Your Best Life Now" may not necessarily speak to those who have been (or are currently) languishing away in a prison cell somewhere for refusal to denounce their belief in Jesus. Only God's TRUTH is absolute and speaks to every man, woman, child wherever he or she may be, in the midst of, or even despite, circumstance.
The kind of faith the apostles displayed - in facing death, torture, imprisonment, etc. - is (logically speaking) very definitely evidence that they were witness to something of a life-changing or miraculous nature. What is fascinating is.. that that same kind of faith is available to each and every one of us today. All we need do is ask.
God bless you, Chuck. Persevere!
Posted by: Jon S. at May 10, 2006 09:03 AM
Of course, it could also be evidence for the apostle's insanity
Posted by: csm at May 11, 2006 10:02 AM
Insanity? I suppose. The same can be said of Jesus. Either He was crazy, suicidal, or maybe, JUST MAYBE He was exactly who He said He was. But let's not speculate... rather, as the Bible says, God invites us to come and "let us reason together..." The responsibility falls to you, csm, what do you choose to believe? Use the brain that God gave you. Research. Study. Dig into His word.
Posted by: Jon S. at May 19, 2006 11:50 AM