| Did Jesus really exist?
Was he just made up? The
evidence of history, archaeology, the Bible and today.
HISTORY
Jesus lived in Roman occupied Palestine.
Inspired by the teachings of The Old Testament Prophets, The Jewish
nation was awaiting the arrival of a political saviour who would
restore their Kingdom. There were many so called 'messiahs' at
the time, most were executed by the iron fist of the Roman Army.
As Jesus was just one amongst many, we might consider it unlikely
that his presence would have been recorded.
In fact, a historian of the time
(AD 49), Suetinius writes in his book, 'The life of Claudius',
It seems that many of the Jewish religion reacted against the
Christians, "... the emperor Claudius, expelled the Jews
from Rome, on account of the riots in which they were constantly
indulging at the instigation of Chrestus". Some of the
Jewish people were upset whenever the early Church whoever the
spoke about Christ (Chrestus). In fact the Bible records how two
of these Christians arrived in another city as a result of this
act of Claudius. They were called Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18v2).
Suetinius wrote another book, 'The
Life of Nero', in it explained how, 'Punishment was inflicted
on the Christians, a body of people attracted to a novel and mischievous
superstition.' This of course only proves the existence of
Christians not of Christ himself. However add this to another
writer Tacitus (AD 116) who tells us about Nero's hate again,
'They got their name from Christ, who was executed by sentence
of the procurator Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius. and
the evidence mounts up even more.
Another writer called Josephus
writes about Jesus in 'The Antiquities of The Jews' - the exact
words are in debate - but they tell us some facts about a man
called Jesus. "Now
there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to
call him a man, for he was a doer of wonders, a teacher of such
men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew many after him
birth of Jews and gentles. He was the Christ. When Pilate,
at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned
him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake
him, for he appeared to them alive the third day, as the divine
prophets foretold these are then thousands other wonderful things
about him. , and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are
not extinct at this day (Antiquities 18:63-64).
Some say that these
words have been altered from the original - and given a Christian
'spin'. But even the words found in an Arabic 10th Century
version (with no Christian 'extras') tell us about the fact of
Jesus existence. "At
this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus, and his conduct
was good, and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from
among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate
condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become
his disciples did not abandon their loyalty to him. They reported
that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion,
and that he was alive. Accordingly they believed that he was the
Messiah, concerning whom the Prophets have recounted wonders."
A letter in the British
Museum (73 AD) contains some words of a father to his son, Sarapion.
He wrote to encourage him to pursue wisdom. He points out that
those who persecute the wise are overtaken by misfortune. He instances
the persecutors of Socrates, Pythagoras and Christ. It is not
only the life of Christ that attracted comment by also his death.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Tombs have been
discovered with Christian Symbols. Christian symbols have been
found in Pompeii buried under Vesuvius ash which erupted in 79AD.
Tombs in Jerusalem bear he inscription , 'Jesus help!" and
'Jesus, let him arise". An inscription has been discovered
in Palestine that forbids the removal of bodies from tombs. The
Romans were not to happy about something! Perhaps it is the dodgy
suggestion that someone stole Jesus body at provoked this Roman
edit. Christians believe that we never have or will ever find
the body of Jesus, he rose from the tomb himself.
St.Peter's house in
Galilee is on view. Places where Jesus walked as recorded in the
Bible have recently been found... again helpful evidence, but
still like a bar of soap in our search to 'touch' the Jesus of
The Bible. However, the indirect evidence is very convincing.
BIBLE
A motley mixture of
fishermen tax collectors, revolutionaries and others joined in
a common cause to spread he message of Christ over the know world.
Within few years their mission was well on its way to the corners
of the map and beyond. Inspired by the teaching of a man called
Jesus they took on the might of the Roman Empire in a radical
way - through love. They believed that the Kingdom of God was
being restored. People were 'finding' Christ one by one.
The death of Jesus seemed
like the end. I have to ask myself the question; Why would they
give their lives for a failed cause? Read their stories and sermons
and you find the reason. They believed that Jesus overcame death
and change the shape of the world in an instant. They believed
that Jesus could be known as people put their trust in Him - The
risen Lord.
TODAY
The message of the church
today is the same as that of the early church. Jesus can be known.
If you recognise your distance from God and your need to know
Him. If you approach the cross of Christ responding to the words
"Christ died for you". If you ask Him to come into your
life to change you and give you a fresh start.. then Jesus can
be known.
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