Lunatic, liar, or Lord
Christ’s resurrection changed history
More than 2,000 years ago, Emmanuel’s birth changed the world.
His birthplace was one of the most unlikely locations–a stable of all places, and with livestock, of all things–one could consider for someone sought by the magi with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Herod, the paranoid narcissistic sociopath, couldn’t handle the idea of any person who would be the King of the Jews. His paranoia compelled him to kill every boy aged 2 and younger.
The boy in question had a father visited by an angel to warn of the threat on his son and the family escaped to Egypt. That alone was one of hundreds of Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
His disciples and other Israelites saw their king as a warrior and official to challenge the Romans. They were thinking earthly, things people are physically connected to, and situations that shape our lives. Jesus Christ, however, taught a heavenly kingdom, one where the Sermon on the Mount showed the way to love God and love others as yourself.
Jesus–with obvious signs to his death and resurrection–said the following in John 2:19 (NASB): “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
The response of the Jews in John 2:20, 22 (NASB) was a sign they had no clue who He was:
20 The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this [i]temple, and yet You will raise it up in three days?” . . . 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus performed countless miracles, including:
Turning water to wine;
Healing lepers, the lame, the blind, people of varying ages with varying afflictions;
Walking on water;
Filling his disciples’ nets with fish;
Casting demons from people who were possessed; and
Raising Lazarus from the dead.
Jesus Christ’s reputation developed, grew, and flourished. The crowds saw what he did and heard what he said. It resonated. It was attractive. Many became followers.
Except for the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Jesus confronted the religious leaders many times. His first confrontation was flipping tables in the temple. They turned God’s house of prayer into a den of thieves. It required a heavy dose of righteous indignation and Jesus delivered it.
It may not have been the goal to gain the attention of the religious leaders, but they certainly were focused on Him. It was just the beginning.
Jesus healed on the Sabbath, which was against the Mosaic law. The religious leaders were upset by Jesus healing on the Sabbath and other violations of religious laws.
Jesus called them “whitewashed tombs.” This man taught a kingdom not of this world and told people their religious leaders were “dead on the inside.” What infuriated the Pharisees were the moments later in John where Jesus declared himself God. The Pharisees plotted to kill Him. Judas Iscariot assisted the Pharisees by betraying Jesus, followed by his trial, conviction, flogging, crucifixion, and burial.
But His story, the story that altered history forever, doesn’t end at Calvary and a tomb. He rose again the third day, just as He said, conquering death, sin, and Satan.
This brings everyone a question they must confront: What am I going to do with Jesus Christ? He is either a lunatic, a liar, or He is Lord, and we are accountable to Him.
1 Corinthians 15 is the apostle Paul’s defense of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The key passage, verses 12-19, is the following in the (NASB):
12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain. 15 Moreover, we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified [g]against God that He raised [h]Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ only in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied.
The idea that Jesus Christ was a lunatic, deceiving others to follow Him, in light of fulfilled prophecies about Him and testimony of His life, death, burial, and resurrection, doesn’t make sense.
This photo of the late Charles Colson is from the Acton Institute.
Many others regard Jesus Christ a liar. It’s a good thing they never told that to the late Charles Colson, the Prison Fellowship founder and former President Richard Nixon’s special counsel. Colson stated the following:
I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.
That means He is Lord and we are accountable to Him.
People go out of their way to ignore Him, reject Him, and live whatever version of reality they choose. These folks had better be certain that they’re right because the consequence of hell is eternal.
He is risen indeed! Happy Resurrection Day!
