EVIDENCE, YOUR HONOR

All those who believe in Jesus, raise your hands. 

I hope you did.

Yet, let's probe further. Have you entrusted your life to Jesus?

Your "yes" signifies that to you, Jesus is not just a religious icon or tradition; but someone you know and trust. For real! as my grandkid Natalie would say to prove a point.      

That's what faith in Jesus is all about. God didn't send His Son to bully us into submission. He wants us to get to that place where Jesus reigns as YOUR way, truth and life.      

It's not blind faith at all. Our trust in Jesus is backed by evidence.

Evidence 1: The empty tomb.

Third day after Jesus' crucifixion: the heavily-guarded tomb—with its huge stone covering—was empty.  

Instead, an angel sat there, saying, "Do not be afraid, I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay." (Matthew 28: 5-6)

JUST AS HE SAID. Yes, Jesus told His disciples beforehand!

"This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day…" Luke 24:46—foretold centuries ago by Moses, the prophets and the Psalms!

Evidence 2:  The risen Christ interacted with His followers.

Matthew 28: 8-10: So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly, Jesus met them. "Greetings," He said. They came to Him, clasped His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

They did see Him. Not only that, Jesus appeared to the eleven and other followers a few more times. He asked doubting Thomas to touch His nail-scarred hands.

Too, historical accounts testify of Jesus appearing to hundreds of people in numerous places for almost seven weeks after His resurrection, writes Paul Strand, CBN News.   

Evidence 3: Changed lives

"Something huge did happen to suddenly and forever turn all the cowering, cowardly disciples into bold believers, proclaiming a risen Messiah they were willing to be tortured and die for, " added Strand.

One can't dispute the evidence of changed lives. Who would risk ridicule, alienation and persecution for a lie?

And how can one explain the millions around the world, with our once off-track lives, foolishness and sky high egos, detouring toward God-righteousness?  

What would take for us to believe?

Thomas—who heard Jesus' life-changing messages and witnessed His miracles—doubted His resurrection!

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe,” Jesus told Thomas (John 20:27).

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” verse 29.

The evidence is clear. Jesus—Son of God paying the perfect sacrifice for our sins—defeated death then went back up to heaven to intercede for us. Not surprisingly, heaven responds through no other name but His.   

Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."