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Our previous evidence absolutely confirms the existence of Jesus- - But is He really God and did He truly rise from the dead, (resurrection)? Jesus said, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). Jesus definitely claimed to be almighty God sent here in human form so that He could become the ultimate sacrifice for our unrighteous nature, (sin). Through this plan of grace, (the life, death and resurrection of Jesus), we could than have our own sins washed away and enter the kingdom of heaven and experience everlasting life. But how can we prove that the claims of Jesus are true?
From the accounts recorded in the Bible and through the writings of various historians of the time, we know for a fact that Jesus was indeed nailed to a cross, (crucified), and placed in a tomb carved out of solid rock - yet on the third day, visitors to the tomb found that the large stone sealing the entrance have been mysteriously moved and the body of Jesus was now gone!
To get a clearer picture, lets take a look at this incredible event: He was hung on a cross for hours by nails driven through His hands and feet, (crucifixion). He was publicly humiliated while excruciating pain and agony overcame His body. Upon completion of this long and torturous execution process of being nailed to the cross, a Roman guard stabbed the side of Jesus to assure death. His body was wrapped in linen and placed in a solid rock tomb. A large stone weighing up to two tons was moved into position to seal the tomb entrance. (Traditional Jewish tombstones of the time used a huge circular stone, (weighing up to two tons), which was set high and then rolled down and incline channel and dropped into a slot to seal the tomb entrance and make removal of the large stone very difficult). A highly disciplined detachment of Roman guards were stationed to guard the tomb at any cost. The Roman seal was affixed onto the tomb as a sign of Roman power and authority and served as a warning to anyone who dared to trespass. The penalty for breaking the Roman seal was death by upside-down crucifixion.
Upon the third day, eyewitnesses visiting the tomb found that the gigantic stone had been moved away and the body of Jesus was no longer there. (The Greek text indicates that the stone was not simply rolled to the side, but actually moved away from the entire massive tomb and lying flat and out of the slot!) Only the linen wrappings were left lying there with the face cloth rolled up by itself.
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