Devotion #6: Historical Jesus

Nathan Elliott

Have you ever heard of the term “historical Jesus”? This term refers to the reconstruction of the life and teachings of Jesus by critical, historical methods. The conclusions of these analyses reveal that Jesus was indeed a real person who walked this earth just like you and me. So, if many atheistic historians believe Jesus existed, then why are they not Christians? Ultimately, it requires faith.

Recently, a friend and I were moving some furniture into my home. As we were carrying a table into the house, I pointed out a large stone for him to avoid because he was walking backward. At that moment, my friend had two choices: 1) to step aside, dodging the stone, or 2) to continue to walk backward into the stone and potentially stumble and hurt himself. There was no third option for the stone to magically disappear. The same is true for our belief regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we either choose to believe He was resurrected or not. There is no third option.

Luke 24:5-8 says, “And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.’ And they remembered his words.” I love the question posed here, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

This is the same question we need to be asking those around us who do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Lost souls search anywhere and everywhere for satisfaction and peace, but they will not be found without Jesus. In 1 Peter 2:6, it says “For it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” Peter is referring to Jesus Christ, and more specifically, the resurrection of Christ. This is our hope as Christians! In John 11:25, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection are clear throughout the New Testament. I encourage you to choose to have faith today to believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again from the grave so that you may also have new life and hope in the Gospel. If you have already made that decision, I challenge you to share it with someone else this week.