The cross is recognized worldwide as the emblem of Christianity. However, it is really an empty tomb that lies at the heart of the Christian faith. Christianity owes its uniqueness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All the tombs of all the founders of all world religions are occupied, with one notable exception, the tomb of Christ, which is empty!
Many have attempted to disprove the profound truth of the empty tomb with many untenable arguments. Some simply allege that it’s a mere fabrication. Yet, there is more historical evidence to substantiate the resurrection of Jesus Christ than there is to substantiate the existence of Julius Caesar or Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo. While no one doubts the existence of Julius Caesar or that Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo, the world is filled with scoffers who scoff at the unoccupied sepulcher, which serves to substantiate Christ as the sole Savior of the world.
Besides the historical evidence, there are other insurmountable hurdles to be overcome by all mockers of the miracle of Easter. For instance, there is the steadfastness of Christ’s disciples. Why would they have lived their lives and died as martyrs for what they knew to be a hoax? Then, there is the silence of Christ’s enemies. Why didn’t they simply produce His body and disprove the Christian faith before it ever got started?
According to the Scripture, there were more than 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One eyewitness is normally enough to prove a case in court. Yet, the jury is still out in this fallen world on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, since more than 500 eyewitnesses are not enough to convince the unconverted cynics of this sinful terrestrial sphere.
Whereas the evidence of so many eyewitnesses should serve as proof positive of Christ’s resurrection, the Apostle Peter claims that there is greater proof to be found in what he calls the “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:16-21). Of all the holy books in all of the world’s religions, only one, the Bible, contains a single line of prophecy. The Bible predicted Christ’s death, burial and resurrection hundreds of years before it happened. The perfect fulfillment of these Biblical prophesies not only serves as proof of Christ’s resurrection, but also of the Bible’s divine inspiration.
Jesus Christ Himself foretold of His death and resurrection, proclaiming that His prophesied resurrection would serve as proof of His deity. (Matthew 12:38-40; John 2:18-21). According to the Apostle Paul, Christ was proven “to be the Son of God” by His “resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Christ didn’t just predict His death, burial and resurrection, but He actually pulled it off. Therefore, you should have no problem believing that the resurrected Christ is who He said He was! His empty tomb proves His claims and declares to the world that He is the Son of God!
Multitudes of lives have been miraculously changed over the last two millennium by a personal encounter with the resurrected Christ. These transformed lives are truly inexplicable apart from the fact that Christ is alive in the world today. He is still touching hearts and transforming lives. I know, because I too have encountered the ever-living resurrected Christ, which is, without question, the most indisputable evidence of Christ's empty tomb!
I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.