Did Jesus Really Die When He Was Crucified?

Q: Did Jesus really die when He was crucified, as the Bible claims, or did He only appear to die (as some of my skeptical friends say)? — F.R.

A: Beyond doubt, Jesus was dead when His lifeless body was taken down from the cross; in fact, the rough Roman soldiers who had nailed Him to that cross made certain of it. Remember too that His body was then placed in a cave-like tomb, which was sealed with a stone weighing hundreds of pounds and guarded by Roman soldiers.

And yet on the third day after His death Jesus was alive, appearing not only to the women who first came to the tomb to anoint His body, but to the disciples who had gathered in fear behind closed doors. During the next 40 days, He appeared repeatedly to numerous others. Decades later Paul wrote that Jesus “appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living” (1 Corinthians 15:6).

Only one explanation covers all the facts: Jesus rose from the dead by the power of God. The people of Jesus’ day knew that death was final, just as much as we do. And yet the evidence was overwhelming: Jesus was alive! Only God could make it happen — and He did.

Why is Jesus’ resurrection so important? It tells us we don’t need to fear death if we know Christ, for sin and death and Hell have been conquered. It tells us also that this life is not all; ahead of us is eternity, either with God in Heaven or separated from Him forever in that place of total despair the Bible calls Hell. Put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ today — for He is alive forevermore!

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.