The Spiritual Condition of America, Politics, Culture, and Current Events Analyzed Through the Lens of Scripture. Welcome to the Alex McFarland Show. Have you seen the therefore symbol? Hi, Alex McFarland here. I want to share a message.
Christianity, it's true because of Christ's resurrection. But in mathematical and logical proofs, three little dots that form a triangle are often used to preface the conclusion of a line of reasoning. A series of premises are stated, and the conclusion is presented with the quote, therefore. Symbol. The three dots really mean we obtain.
In other words, this conclusion is valid based on the premises given.
Now, this relates to the Christian faith and Easter in particular, because Jesus' physical resurrection from the grave yields some vitally important therefores. In fact, central to the Christian faith is Jesus as the resurrected Son of God. And Jesus Christ not only predicted his resurrection, but all four gospels record the empty tomb on the third day, Matthew 28, 1 through 6, Mark 16, verses 2 through 6, Luke 24, verses 1 through 3, and John chapter 20, verses 1 through 9.
Now, if Jesus rose, and the evidence is compelling that he did rise from the grave, then Christianity is true. Truth being that which corresponds to reality. In other words, the Christian gospel, how Jesus died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and by faith in Christ, His atonement is appropriated to each of us. As we put our trust in Jesus, we are forgiven. We're brought into relationship with Christ.
In other words, we are saved. for the Gospel and the Biblical world view, Christ's resurrection truly is, as I have said for three decades, the fact on which all other facts rest. Let me explain. Since Jesus rose, we can trust what he taught about salvation. Eternity and all the promises of God's Word.
Now, how do we know that Jesus was resurrected?
Well, in biblical times, obviously, there was no way to broadcast live video of the resurrection or his exiting of the tomb. But people in the ancient times, and this really does carry up to the present moment, but matters of evidence and questions were settled in a court of law based on eyewitness testimony. The evidence for the resurrection of Christ is based on the testimonies of more than 500 people who said they saw Jesus alive again, including experiences with the risen Christ in multiple locations over a 40-day period. And the list of eyewitnesses includes people both friendly and unfriendly. to the implications of the resurrection.
Now what were those implications? If Jesus rose from the dead, that would validate the man and the message. who he is and what he taught, Who is he? The Son of God. What did he teach?
Well, many things, not the least of which is forgiveness and salvation and one's place in the coming kingdom of God based on their relationship with him. Persons missing the kingdom of God and being consigned to eternal lostness based on their rejection. Of the offer to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, in other words, if Jesus rose, then everything about the biblical worldview is confirmed because Jesus affirmed it. And he made his ability to rise from the grave the way that we would know. In other words, everything about the Christian message is contingent on Christ. having risen.
Now, those who followed Jesus, it might be assumed that they were tempted to make up the story. uh but those who did not believe he was the Messiah would not have done so. The fact that James, half-brother of Jesus, who doubted him, was among those who eventually saw Jesus alive again, shows the real diversity of the eyewitnesses. Ditto for Saul of Tarsus. Saul of Tarsus was initially a fierce opponent of the gospel message and later became its greatest champion.
Paul the Apostle, Now, in addition to the hundreds of eyewitnesses, Jesus' empty tomb provides strong proof for his resurrection. The empty tomb. The Jewish religious leaders claimed that Jesus' disciples had stolen the body. That's in Matthew 28, 11 through 15. But no tradition Holds that the body was stolen.
In fact, oral and historical tradition holds that ten of the original disciples were killed. for their faith. Even John on the Isle of Patmos, who was later boiled in oil, Not a single one of the disciples recanted. Or said, Oh, you know, please let me live, the body was stolen. And professional historians recognize that the New Testament is the most well-preserved document from the ancient world.
renowned for its precise historical accuracy. The New Testament records many individuals who experienced the resurrected Lord. And and let me just say parenthetically that yes, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are part of the New Testament canon. And there are four real biographies of Jesus. but merely because they are part of the Bible, That doesn't mean that we shouldn't take them seriously as historical, documentable facts.
In reality, many, many professional historians. believers and grudgingly reluctant Non-believers have concluded that, in terms of what are called the canons of history, or historiography. In other words, how professional historians adjudicate, if something is a trustworthy source. The New Testament, the Christian New Testament, is impeccably. attested.
absolutely trustworthy. And the New Testament that is recognized as historical fact records many individuals. Who experienced the resurrected Lord?
Now, Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb on that first resurrection Easter Sunday morning, John 20, 11 through 18. The second appearance was to the other women who saw Jesus near the empty tomb on Sunday morning.
Now, that was Mary Magdalene, Matthew 28, 1 through 10, and quote, the other Mary, end of quote, along with others. Luke 24:10 specifically names Joanna, Mary the mother of James. And that's very likely. The Luke 24, Mary the Mother of James, is no doubt, quote, the other Mary that's also referenced in Matthew 28. And it says, other unnamed women.
Now we've got to take a brief break, and when we come back, we're going to talk about the other appearances of Christ to a number of other people, but even. what are called critical historians. They recognized that the disciples had real experiences. That not only did they report and repeat were appearances of the tangibly, physically resurrected Jesus, but the early Christians were willing to die for this.
Now many people will die for something that they think is true, but nobody is going to die for something that they know is false. The eye witness testimony of the appearances of the risen Christ, compelling, compelling evidence. of the reality of the resurrection And thus, the facticity of the Christian faith. Stay tuned. A brief break, we're going to come back more.
About Christianity because of Christ's resurrection. Stay tuned. Fox News and CNN call Alex McFarland, a religion and culture expert. Stay tuned for more of his teaching and commentary after this. Christian author and speaker Alex McFarland is an advocate for Christian apologetics.
Teaching in more than 2,200 churches around the world, schools, and college campuses, Alex is driven by a desire to help people grow in relationship with God. He arms his audiences with the tools they need to defend their faith, while also empowering the unchurched to find out the truth for themselves. In the midst of a culture obsessed with relativism, Alex is a sound voice who speaks timeless truths of Christianity in a timely way. With 18 published books to his name, it's no surprise that CNN, Fox, The Wall Street Journal, and other media outlets have described Alex as a religion and culture expert. To learn more about Alex and to book him as a speaker at your next event, visit alexmacfarland.com or you can contact us directly by emailing booking at alexmacfarland.com.
He's been called trusted, truthful, and timely. Welcome back to the Alex McFarlane Show. Welcome back to the program, Alex McFarland. A very happy, happy Easter. Jesus is risen.
He is risen indeed. You know, in the first segment, we were talking about some of the earliest resurrection sightings of Jesus. Of course, the women went and the tomb was empty on that first Easter morning. But some ask the question: how do we really know that Jesus died on the cross? Before we talk about some of the other resurrection appearances, I want to go back and talk about the crucifixion of Christ, which was really the culmination of Holy Week after the triumphant entry.
You know, on Tuesday of of Christ's last Days on earth. He was confronted with the Pharisees. They asked him about his authority. They tried with trick questions to trip him up. And they asked about: is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar?
This is in Matthew 22. And of course, Jesus could not be pinned up. In a trick question, and he famously said, Render to Caesar, what is Caesar? Render to God, what belongs to God. the the Sadducees that don't believe in the resurrection, ask him a question about the resurrection.
uh as if uh maybe he was ignorant of their unbelief. And of course in Matthew 22, Jesus schooled them and it said they were amazed. And then it says this, it's almost humorous. In Matthew 22, 34 through 40, it said that they convened and they got a lawyer. to ask what is the great commandment.
And Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. And the second is like unto it, love your neighbour as yourself. And it says, after this, no one dared ask him any more questions. Jesus could not be uh pinned up into a corner. And you know, one of the great statements, you know, so much of the last days of Christ's life were recorded in Matthew, but then in John 12, after the triumphant entry, and this would have been on Tuesday of Holy week.
Greek or Gentile people came to Christ, and they said to the disciples, Sir, we would see Jesus. In other words, we've come and we want to meet Jesus. In many of our conferences, folks, what I would do backstage, and I think about this when we were in New Haven, Connecticut, we did a big event at Yale University. We need to go back and do that again. On a dry erase board, on an easel.
Right there backstage. I would write, you know, John twelve. Uh 21. Sir, we would see Jesus. And my speakers Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Gary Habermas, Robbie Zacharias, Chuck Coltson, John Enkerberg.
James Dobson. The great folks we've been privileged to work with over the years, the last thing they would see before they stepped on stage to give their speeches at my conferences, sir, we would see Jesus. Because that really is our assignment, isn't it? No matter who you are, maybe you're a minister or Sunday school teacher, whomever. But if you're a born-again believer, we have the calling to show the world Jesus.
Now, Wednesday was a day of silence. We're not sure exactly what was going on there. We know that probably that was when Judas went to betray Jesus. Thursday was preparation for the Passover. The events in the upper room.
The Garden of Gethsemane. Uh John 17, the great high priestly prayer of Jesus. And I would encourage you to read John 17. In Gethsemane, Christ experienced hematidrosis, sweated drops of blood. And then, interestingly, when they came to arrest Jesus, and Peter zealously cut off the ear of of a man.
Christ Last Miracle Pre Calvary to reach Luke 22, 50. And just touch and heal The ear. of uh that one that Peter tried to cut his ear off of. And then through the night, and you know, in Jewish law, a person was not to be tried after sundown. And yet, Christ went through really seven trials before Annas.
before Caiaphas the high priest, before the Sanhedrin, before Pilate, then Herod, then Pilate a second time, and then before a group of Roman soldiers. And in these trials, when he went before Annas, and this is in John 18. You know, he's questioned about doctrine and his teaching. And one of Annas' servants slapped Jesus. It's amazing.
Then he was taken before Caiaphas. And this is when Peter is lingering back afar off. And he's accused of blasphemy. He's accused of threatening to destroy the temple. Because you remember when Jesus said of his own body, destroy this temple.
And three days later, I'll rise it up again. And he's accused of blasphemy, he's condemned, he's tortured and beaten. Before Caiaphas, anything they can try to do on a trumped-up charge to get a conviction for. Execution. Then he's before the Sanhedrin.
And this is very famously Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, Mark 14. I would encourage you to read Mark fourteen, really fifty three through sixty four. And Christ clearly affirms that He is God incarnate. and they accuse him of blasphemy, which If you claim to be God, And God is who you are, that's not blasphemy. Then he's taken before Pilate.
And he's accused of having perverted Israel. He's accused of forbidding tribute to Caesar, which was false. That's Matthew 22:21. He's accused of claiming to be the Messiah, which is a true charge. John 4:25 and 6, and other places, Christ did.
claim to be the Messiah. And I would encourage you to read John 18. 28 through 38. where Pilate asks him You know, are you a king? And what is truth?
As the night closes in, he is taken before Herod, And he's taken before Pilate a second time. And of course, Pilate's wife, in this second appearance before Pilate, Pilate's wife warns her husband against condemning Jesus Christ. And of course Pilate says, I find no fault in him. And he washes his hands of the matter. But as many have said, that does not absolve him of responsibility.
Two Deal with Jesus. And finally, when Jesus is really thrown into the hands of Roman soldiers, you know, he's dressed as a king and ridiculed, and Crown of Thorns is pressed into Jesus's scalp. and he's given a reed in his hand like a sceptre. The Roman soldiers beat Jesus, spit upon him, and lead him out to be crucified.
Now we've got to take a break, but when we come back, I want to talk about the crucifixion, and then finally, this glorious, praise God, resurrection. proving Christ is who he claimed to be. And remember, Here in the 21st century, Jesus is still the risen Lord, and he is still as close by. as a prayer. We're back after this.
Fox News and CNN call Alex McFarland, a religion and culture expert. Stay tuned for more of his teaching and commentary after this. Producer Mike for the Alex McFarlane Show, listen to this. Alex is the Christian voice we need right now. I love listening to him, and the guests he has on the show are just amazing.
I highly recommend his podcast. Great words, Alex.
Well, we give God the glory. We thank the listeners for kind sentiments like that, but we give God all the glory. But, folks, please listen in, spread the word. You're spreading the gospel. Tell others about our programming, and we sincerely thank you.
Uh He's been called trusted, truthful, and timely. Welcome back to the Alex McFarlane Show. Welcome back to the program. Alex McFarland here. Happy Easter.
Christ is risen indeed. Before we resume our talk about the resurrection and how his Emptying of the grave proves Christianity and what his promises are. I want to remind everybody to please be in prayer for all that's going on in our ministries. As you hear this program, I've been on the road preaching this this spring, and we've got our revive U.S. tours that are rolling out.
In fact, please go to the schedule at alexmacfarland.com. We're in places like Kansas and we're in western North Carolina this summer coming up in Colorado. Of course, our youth camps are happening all over America. We're in Florida this year also for the first time with a youth camp. Montana, upstate, New Jersey, Iowa, Colorado, many wonderful places.
Please keep that in prayer. And remember, your tax-deductible gift of $400 will enable us to take a child to camp for a week. And many of these young people have never spent time. Outdoors, never rubbed a horse or ridden a horse. And then, of course, in addition to all the fun camp stuff, we tell them about Jesus, the biblical worldview, patriotism, America.
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But I'll be there this summer teaching Daniel and Revelation. I'll be there with Gary Habermas teaching apologetics. The website for the Billy Graham Conference Center is thecove.org, T-H-E-C-O-V-E theCOVE.org. And if you put my name in the space bar, you'll find out the weeks that I'll be there. And we would love to see you at the Cove this summer as well.
Well, it is Easter. And in the previous segment, we were talking about after the trials, Christ was taken out and crucified. And the famed Jewish historian Josephus wrote about the fact that crucifixion was unsurvivable. In all of the hundreds of Roman crucifixions, Josephus reports that only one person ever was taken down alive from a Roman cross, and yet that person died in under 24 hours.
So, lest anyone say that Christ didn't die on the cross, no, the Roman soldiers were very secure in their assignment, and they made sure that Jesus was dead. You know, famously from the cross, Jesus said seven things. The first statement, basically from 9 a.m. till noon, he made three statements. Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.
Luke 23. Verily I say unto thee, to day you will be with me in paradise. That was the second statement from the cross that he said to the penitent Faith. Luke 23, 43. Then the third statement he said to Mary and John, this is recorded in John 19, Woman, behold thy son, son, behold thy mother.
Isn't that amazing, as he is on the cross dying for the sins of the world, the compassionate Saviour, was thinking about the care of his earthly mother. But then, from noon till 3 p.m., these statements, a quote, as you know, it's called the humiliation of Christ, as he hung there and the sin of the world was placed on the righteous, sinless Son of God, Matthew twenty seven, forty six, Eli Eli Lama Sabachthoni My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? which is a quote from Psalm twenty two, written one thousand BC. that very poignant Fully God, fully human. In John 19, 28, Jesus said, I thirst.
Isn't that something? He felt the pain, the parched Dry Throat The beaten body He was suffering. And finally, John 1930. It is finished. And the last thing Jesus said from the cross, Luke 23:46, Father, into thy hands.
I commend my spirit. And he yielded up the The spirit something you and I couldn't do. We can't will the cessation of our bodily functions. And yet Jesus, his life wasn't taken from him, he gave his life And he did that for you and me. But on that Easter morning, we talked about the women at the tomb.
But Jesus also appeared. to two men on the road to Emmaus, one named Cleopas and the other was unnamed that's in Luke twenty four, thirteen through thirty two he appeared to Peter on that resurrection Sunday. And you read that in Luke twenty four and First Corinthians fifteen five. He appeared to the other apostles in John twenty, all the apostles except Thomas and Judas. Judas had committed suicide.
at some point on Thursday. But he appeared to the apostles, and then in John 20, 26 and following, Jesus appeared to the apostles with Thomas. This was one week after the resurrection. You remember doubting Thomas. And of course, what did he say?
Thomas said, My Lord. And my God. Interestingly, and this is where it just gets beautiful. John 21, 1 through 13, Jesus appeared to seven apostles at the Sea of Galilee. And Simon Peter was there, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, James and John.
And Jesus fixes fish for the apostles, and they ate. If you've ever wondered, will we eat in heaven? Yes, we will eat in our resurrected bodies. Jesus appeared to 500 people at once. 1 Corinthians 15, 6.
Jesus appeared to James. Jesus's half brother. Jesus appeared to eleven disciples before ascending to heaven. That's recorded in Matthew twenty eight, Luke twenty four, and Acts chapter one. And I love Acts 1.11, where the angel said, Why do you stand gazing in the heavens?
This same Jesus will return in like manner.
Now it's interesting. In Acts chapter 7, 55 through 56. And this is after the ascension, but as Stephen the the first martyr was being stoned, Jesus appeared to Stephen. In Acts 9, the risen Jesus appeared to the Apostle Paul, well, Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul the Apostle And that's also recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:8. Jesus appeared, the risen Jesus appeared to John.
The Apostle in Revelation 1:9 through 19.
Now not including the people who saw Jesus in a vision after his ascension, and there were at least 513 different people who saw the risen Jesus. the tangible risen Jesus. And this is m much more than enough evidence to take seriously the claim that Christ literally rose from the dead.
Now, remember I mentioned that the The their force symbol, the three little dots that make a triangle. Let's talk about the their force. If Christ arose and it's compelling that He did, what conclusions do we derive? from these facts?
Well, vitally important ones. Jesus rose Think about this. In order for us to know God, 1 John 5:20, He rose to pay for sin and rescue humanity, to fulfill prophecy, to show us the Father. To give us the new covenant, Hebrews 9:15 and 12:24. He died and rose to be the Passover lamb for all persons.
I like first John three eight, Jesus died and rose to destroy the works of Satan. to purchase and initiate the Church, to usher along history and prepare for His return.
Now these are just a few of the precious therefores of Christ's resurrection. God's sovereignty, His power, His control was never more clearly manifested than on the cross. And in Jesus' power over death. These are precious realities that I believe, if we ponder on them and really internalize this, it puts joy in our heart, gives us confidence to sustain us through each day. Jesus is risen.
Glory to God. Our faith is valid, and each believer's eternity is secure. As 2 Corinthians 9:15 says, Thanks be to God for his indescribable, immeasurable, inexpressible. Gift. May God bless you.
I hope you know Christ. I hope you're helping to make Him known. Christ is risen. Indeed, all praise and glory to his name. Alex McFarlane Ministries are made possible through the prayers and financial support of partners like you.
For over 20 years, this ministry has been bringing individuals into a personal relationship with Christ and has been equipping people to stand strong for truth. Learn more and donate securely online at alexmacfarland.com. You may also reach us by calling 1-877-YESGOD and the number 1. That's 1-877-YESGOD1. Thanks for joining us.
We'll see you again on the next edition of the Alex McFarlane Show.
