DID JESUS EXIST?

Did Jesus exist? I lead a Bible Class on this topic, and when the pastor announced it in the Sunday announcements, there were a few chuckles in the audience. When he led in the opening prayer, saying, “Dear Lord, who really does exist,…” someone giggled. Of course Jesus exists! After all, we’ve just celebrated His birthday.

My presentation that day gave evidence not usually known, for it was based on historical references to Jesus and the early Christians from non-Biblical sources. The Bible gives us “insider” information, but is there evidence of Jesus outside the Bible?

I spoke of writings by pagan Roman historians, Tacitus and Suetonius, who both despised Christianity, as well as the Jewish historian Josephus who is well known among scholars but was not a believer in Jesus. There is even a letter to Jesus from the King Abgar V of Edessa recorded by Christian historian Eusebius in his 3^rd century history book. All of these referred to a man called “Christos” and his followers.

A striking fact of non-biblical references is that ancient secular sources have never denied or disputed the fact that Jesus lived. It wasn’t until the 18^th century and the “Age of Enlightenment” that secular philosophers began penning doubts that Jesus existed. “Mythicists” like Arthur Drews, Bruno Bauer and Bart Ehrman challenged His existence.

We may not be able to prove Jesus is the Son of God or that He did miracles or arose from the dead, but only a fool would believe He never lived. Only someone filled with human pride would think it was all made up.

Jesus of Nazareth did exist, and two and a quarter billion Christians today do believe He arose from the dead and is the living Savior of the world. It is still true today what Paul said when he wrote, “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3) There should be no doubt that He lived His life for all mankind.

May the Holy Spirit lead you to trust in Him.