Empty No More

What is the essential difference between Jesus and every other supposed “messiah” in human history? With enough searching, you can likely find the remains of every one of these claimants, except one: Jesus. There are sites purporting to be His tomb, but each of them is empty. No body, no bones, no dust, no trace of the Son of God’s remains.

Without the resurrection, Jesus is just another poseur, another claimant to a messianic title, of which there have been many—both religious and political—over the centuries. But we know, from history and from their gravesites, that all of these claimants are dead. All, that is, except for Jesus, who arose on the third day and later ascended into heaven, where He “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

We know this because there were dozens of witnesses to the resurrection and ascension. We know it because those witnesses boldly proclaimed these facts in the face of fierce opposition. And we know it because many of those would be martyred for their beliefs. No one willingly surrenders their life for something they know is a lie.

Perhaps the most important argument for the resurrection of Jesus is the difference it has made in the lives of tens of millions of people through the years—and even today. Men and women have shed addictions, lost their anger, and have become productive citizens and loving family members because of the change that faith in Jesus has brought. That’s a living witness to an ever-living Savior.

Apply It:

Study the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to see how many doubted Him—but also how others believed and the change it made in their lives.

Dig Deeper:

1 Corinthians 15:1–17; Luke 24:36–43; Hebrews 8:1, 2

Key Bible Texts

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (1 Corinthians 15:14 KJV)