Since I believe in Obama, I also must believe in Hillary Clinton, Mitch McConnell, Harry Reid, John Boehner and even Nancy Pelosi. Like Obama, they exist. Many have seen them, I've seen them on television, I've read about them and others have told me that they have seen them. I've met Mitch McConnell several times, have spoken with him and have added faith that he exists. Why? Because I have had a personal relationship with him, although it's pretty unlikely that he still remembers me!
Let me pick a random person. Let's see. How about Billy Graham? That works for me if it does for you. Most people in the civilized world know of Billy Graham. He's real to them. Many have heard him preach and many more have heard his sermons on television. Real people can be seen in stadiums. Their existence would convince many that Billy Graham is a real person and a celebrity as well as a renowned preacher! However, I went to a Billy Graham Crusade in Bowling Green several years back. Billy wasn't there! They had another preacher. I don't remember his name now, but unlike Billy Graham, this man was black! He wasn't Billy!
What if I say "I don't believe in Billy Graham." Although some that he has to say is good, some of it is disagreeable to me. I not only have never seen him, but he wasn't at his own crusade. I believe that silly people just wish that Billy Graham exists because they need someone to encourage them. They say he's near death now so there is a fat chance I'd ever meet him if he even exists. Billy, if you're real, call me right now! I dare you to expose yourself and prove that you truly are real. I'm confident that Billy Graham will never come forward. I just don't believe in him and never will, despite the fact that most the world would argue with me.
Am I silly? Billy Graham is real, he's a leader just like his contemporaries in the political arena. His existence is validated by his own birth records, but also the records of his parents and even his genealogy. Many have written of his life and he's changed many lives with his message. Just as I believe in Barak Obama, I believe in Billy Graham. Although, Obama is a more powerful civil leader, Billy Graham has many devoted spiritual followers. Yes, I was kidding! I do believe in Billy Graham. The evidence is plentiful and the facts accepted by the world... Billy Graham is a real person! He did change lives. He is more than wishful thinking and certainly is more than a myth!
Do you see where I'.m heading? Do you believe that Augustus Caesar did exist? Do you believe in King Herod? How about the Governor Felix? Pontius Pilate? There is secular proof that they not only lived at the beginning of the Christian era, but were influential. Their legacy remains today and a person would be a fool to argue that these leaders were fictional or mythological characters. You can find extant writings of each of these leaders or their contemporaries. Like Obama, they are real!
Why then is Jesus not real? Why do you not believe in him? His contemporaries wrote of his life, his words and his legacy. Why would they write the story of a false person? Furthermore, foreign dignitaries came to honor his birth. Would they ride 800 miles on camel-back to give presents to someone who didn't exist? King Herod sought this baby to kill him. Would a real historical King Herod waste his time tracking down a myth? Silly Herod! Silly you! ...If you believe Jesus was a myth!
Thousands heard Jesus' sermons, just like Billy Graham. Lives were changed! Those who knew Jesus wrote of him because he IS real! Not only is the birth of Jesus documented, but so was his conception! Can you say that about yourself? His genealogy goes back to Adam! Do you know yours that far back?
Jesus raised the dead and performed miracles! Thousands saw and testified to his existence, even those who hated Jesus knew he was real! They were afraid of him because he has authority and power. They were afraid Jesus would leave a profound legacy! He didn't disappoint them. He did just that!
Then Jesus died on the cross. He really did! The multitude saw him crucified and carried to the grave. Pontius Pilate saw it. Enemy soldiers carried out the bloody deed and the Roman Caesars wrote about it as did historians like Josephus who wasn't his disciple, but testified to his existence. His enemies believed in Jesus. Why don't you?
Jesus was raised from the dead and left the tomb. He was resurrected after three days just as he said he would be! You don't believe that either do you skeptic? The soldiers who guarded the tomb believed it. Pilate believed it! The Jewish leaders who hated Jesus believed it. The tomb was empty then and it still is! Thomas, his own friend and disciple, was a skeptic. He felt the pierced hands and vouched for Jesus; the one who died and now lives. Thomas didn't want to believe he was wrong, but he admitted his mistake. He testified that Jesus who died now lives, and did just that with many witnesses, some who wrote an affidavit to that miracle.
The dead man yet lives, even after being entombed for three days! He walked to Amaeus with travelers who told him the entire story (they didn't know it was him). They believed in Jesus. The entire known civilized world knew that the Nazarene had been killed yet not found in the grave. He spoke to and was seen by hundreds, many who were so amazed and convinced that they wrote it down! Those documents are still with us! Those documents, those affidavits, have been bound together and is now called The New Testament! We now except those documents as fact, true statements and documentation that God took on the form of man, was born of a virgin woman, lived 33 years, ministered to the world, performed miracles, raised the dead and was himself murdered (although innocent) and could not be contained by the grave! Why? Because Jesus is God!
What's more. His enemies, the Jews, knew who he was! Their Holy Scripture, The Bible's Old Testament as we call it, told them centuries before all about Him. He was expected by them and anxiously awaited his coming. Those who believed in Jesus the most, rejected him because he wasn't what they thought he should be. Rather than an eternal king who came to save the world, they wanted a Warrior King who would return the Promised Land to them. Because they were selfish in their desires they killed their savior because he was and is real! Their belief wasn't in a myth nor mere man, but in a person of royalty. They didn't know it at the time, but they asked for the death of the most powerful king who ever lived. He ruled the universe and still does! Kings have bowed to Jesus. Jesus is real! Do kings bow to those who aren't real?
Luke 24:36
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.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Jesus stood in the midst of his followers and spoke... after he had been crucified and died! He called those with whom he stood "witnesses" that he suffered, died and was raised. He demonstrated to the people that he was real. He showed his pierced hands and feet, those of one who died, yet he ate before them, being yet fully alive! Then he was carried up into heaven where scripture tells us he lives on! Perry Mason could ask for no more airtight case than this. The dead man himself alive and telling of his own death... and in front of witnesses who saw and touched him! Yet many of you disbelieve because what happened because it happened only one time in history!
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.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Jesus stood in the midst of his followers and spoke... after he had been crucified and died! He called those with whom he stood "witnesses" that he suffered, died and was raised. He demonstrated to the people that he was real. He showed his pierced hands and feet, those of one who died, yet he ate before them, being yet fully alive! Then he was carried up into heaven where scripture tells us he lives on! Perry Mason could ask for no more airtight case than this. The dead man himself alive and telling of his own death... and in front of witnesses who saw and touched him! Yet many of you disbelieve because what happened because it happened only one time in history!
Few but the faithful read those "documents" in the Bible. What was once the most read book in the world has caved to entertainment, pleasure and thrill. Those caught up in Satan's world have little desire to read of a king in olden times who died needlessly, although innocent. They're more concerned with Trayvon Martin and Rodney King than they are with the death of Jesus. Clever quips posted to Facebook mean more than the actual words God said to us! Do you not know that when you read the Bible, you are reading actual words uttered by God to mankind? What an opportunity we have! What an opportunity most miss.
Let's now look at the skeptic. He still believes in Obama, Biden, Caesar, Pilate and maybe even Big Foot and aliens from another planet! However, even though any sane intelligent person must admit that Jesus was real, they still believe all his contemporaries, even enemies, lied about his life. How naive! How gullible! How insane!
Here's the solution to your unbelief, assuming you do want the truth: Read the Gospel of John then Matthew, Mark and Luke. Follow that by the book of Acts and Paul's letters. Skip Revelation for now, and read the first five books of the Old Testament (the Law), followed by Judges, Joshua, etc. Don't forget to read the Psalms and Proverbs intermittently and the prophets... they tell you all about the coming Messiah, Jesus!
As you read, God will minister to you and if you're sincere and seek truth, you will believe. That is my prayer for you this day!
No comments:
Post a Comment