A movie producer claims to have found the graves of Jesus and a few others, namely his wife and child. The claim that the bones found in the cave, along with the names inscribed on the coffins, are proof that Jesus never rose from the dead. Such an idea has set off a furor amongst some believers who say that if it’s true, the resurrection isn’t as claimed. Some are attempting to say it was a spiritual resurrection and not a literal one. In an attempt to discredit the claims, they are trying to prove the resurrection. The movie maker is wrong, and those trying to discredit him aren’t arguing in a way that will negate the claims.

The Bible itself can refute the false notions and the salient point in refuting the claims begins with John the Baptist. In John 1:29: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. While there are numerous verses in the Old Testament that tell us the reason Jesus came into the world, John tells us directly what Jesus came to do. The resurrection hinges on the statement of John and the work of Jesus.

The opposite of sin is righteousness and without righteousness no one can be saved. God demanded and still demands that those who would be saved must be righteous according to his standard of righteousness, Jesus Christ. Jesus said he didn’t come to destroy the law but to fulfill its righteous demands. When a careful examination of scripture is done, it is obvious the Pharisees didn’t like it that their righteousness wasn’t good enough for God’s approval, and to add insult to injury, Jesus pointed that out to them. Paul told the Jews in Galatians 2:21: I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. The writer of Hebrews 10: 9-13 recorded: Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. The offering on the cross was for sin, the deeds of man not pleasing to God that the movie maker is ignoring.

 Jesus went to the cross, placed in a tomb, and rose on the third day. If one is to believe the movie maker, all that the writers of scripture wrote on that subject has to be a colossal fabrication which would make God a party to a lie. Jesus appeared to his disciples. Luke wrote in chapter 24: 33-39: And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,34  Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35  And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36  And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.  The words flesh and bones from the mouth of Jesus, his body resurrected.

But there is more. In Acts 1: 9-11: And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Did Luke lie when he wrote those words? According to the reasoning of the movie maker, he did.

Paul wrote in Romans 8: 11:  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The proof is in the reading. Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended bodily into heaven.

Had Jesus not fulfilled the law, he wouldn’t have been resurrected. Had he done as the movie maker said, salvation from sin wouldn’t be possible. Those who wrote the scriptures would be liars, perpetrating a hoax. In the sum, the movie maker is only another denier of the Lord, lying about Jesus, trying to refute the truth for reasons of his own.

Who shall you believe? Will it be the writers of the Bible or the man who is making false claims about God’s son?

© 03-01-2007 DEC

                          Next Lesson  The Power of the Cross

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