Immanuel, God with us

Lots of Christian writers and speakers spend time trying to "prove" the Christian faith, specifically regarding his death and resurrection. Yesterday I heard a news story on the way in to work about how many non-Christians do believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Here's an excerpt from the Christian Post (which I did not even know existed):

Study: Most Non-Born-Again Christians Still Believe Jesus Resurrected
By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter, Tue, Apr. 03 2007 12:27 PM ET

While Christians and documentaries try to prove the resurrection of Christ this Easter, a surprising new study reveals they may not need to. Many already believe Jesus rose from the dead 2,000 years ago.

According to recent research by the Center for Missional Research of the North American Mission Board – the Southern Baptist domestic mission agency – 75 percent of Americans who say they are not born-again Christians still believe the biblical account of Jesus literally coming back to life in his physical body.

I've said a million times that I have a simple faith. I'm not troubled by inconsistencies or doubts about the logic or reason behind a Christian faith, but it does seem that accepting the fact that Jesus came back to life would be more difficult than understanding that he did it to save me. We have records of his works, his teachings, his life, and if we believe that he was hung on a cross, died, and rose again three days later, we know he was also supernatural, unlike men who came before or since. How can we not believe that he was who he said he was or that he would do what he said he came to do? Like I said, I have a simple faith so I'll probably never be able to understand this, but I'm going to keep thinking about it!

Matthew 28
The Resurrection
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

The Guards' Report

11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The Great Commission

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."