Not Done in a Corner

Acts 26:24-29

            One of the main differences between Christianity and other religious faiths is that it is objectively verifiable while others are not.  Let me explain.  The visit of Jesus the Son of God to the earth was done in real time in a real place in a real body.  Jesus, the carpenter’s son, grew up in Nazareth.  He was seen in Capernaum, Cana, Nain, Samaria, Jericho, Bethany, Jerusalem and countless other places.  People of all walks of life heard Him teach, conversed with Him and witnessed His miracles.  Those who were healed of some infirmity became walking witnesses to Jesus’ healing power.  Much of what He did, said and taught was recorded by and through eye witnesses.

            When this Jesus of Nazareth was tried and put to death by order of Pilate, a great crowd was present.  His death was verified by His enemies.  His burial place was not obscure.  He was seen alive after His resurrection by hundreds (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).  As Paul said to King Agrippa, “For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.”  God had nothing to hide - in fact, He wanted all the world to see and hear His Son so they would have opportunity to believe in Him and be saved to life eternal.

            Contrast all of this with other religions (some of which even call themselves “Christian”) who lean heavily if not exclusively on things which no one else can verify.  They have seen visions and dreams, and have mystical encounters with God or spirits.  They enter caves and emerge with an entire holy book from God.  An angel pays them a visit and gives them special plates with new revelations from the Almighty.  None of these happenings are verifiable.  You must simply take someone else’s word for what they say happened.  When there is such a lack of proof or evidence, it makes for an extremely shaky and dangerous foundation on which to build one’s entire life - and one’s life to come.  Extremely shaky indeed!

            On the other hand, Jesus’ whole life is an open book.  It can be checked out by people even today.  Have you?  So, what do you think?

                                                            ><>  Jeff