Are you willing to believe an eyewitness account? Do you prefer to have someone who saw the event relay to you their firsthand account of it? What if the event seems to be unbelievable? What if the person is trustworthy? Will you believe them? Do you believe the story of Jesus?
We like to hear people tell their stories. Sometimes those stories sound a bit outlandish. But if the person is trustworthy, we likely believe them. We hear family, friends, and co-workers tell us about things they have witnessed or been involved in nearly every day.
In a courtroom, the credibility of the witness is critical to proving the case. When the credibility of a witness is lacking, the case is not as strong, and additional evidence must be found or the witness is not used. Today, we seek hard evidence, and use photographs and video recordings. To prove the event took place, we piece together a variety of evidence.
John puts forth his argument to believe both him and others who were witnesses. He states that they both saw Jesus and touched Him after the resurrection. In John’s case, we also know that he was an eyewitness of the crucifixion. He saw Jesus on the cross. He heard Jesus cry out. He saw Him take His last breath. John is testifying to what he saw, heard, and physically touched.
Though we may not see or touch Jesus physically today, we can believe the eyewitness accounts of those who did. If we want physical evidence, we can seek out archeological evidence that has been discovered over the centuries. No matter what evidence we are looking for, we can find what we need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He overcame death.
I pray we all believe the eyewitness accounts about Jesus. I pray we seek the archeological evidence we need so we believe. I pray each one of us believe Jesus is the Son of God and choose to follow Him. Believe the eyewitnesses. Believe the evidence. Believe Jesus overcame death. Believe Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 1:1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life
Marty Pressey 