Another theory skeptics have created to disclaim the resurrection facts is the “Jesus Didn’t Really Die; He Just Fainted” theory.

History tells us many victims didn’t even survive the beatings, yet we’re to believe Jesus flew through that, shook the blood off His scalp from two-inch thorns, ignored the open flesh from His back that revealed smashed tissue and muscle, was only faking it when He fell under the weight of carrying the wooden beam to the Cross, and simply fainted from the excruciating pain caused by the crucifixion? According to Roman law, His death certificate couldn’t be signed by the authorities until they were certain beyond belief that Jesus was indeed dead. One of the signs of death was the mixture of blood and water that came from the tissue surrounding His heart.

But let’s just pretend He fooled everyone and merely fainted. His broken and battered body was wrapped in huge amounts of spices and strips of linen cloth. The embalming ointment alone weight 100 pounds. He was literally encased in massive bondage. Even if He wasn’t dead when He was buried, surely three days inside a dark, damp, cold, wet tomb receiving no medical attention, would certainly demand His last breath.

But the skeptics say no. So . . . suddenly after being encased in a tomb for three days (in the broken physical condition He was in), Jesus gets His second wind? And He’s able (with a crushed heart, punctured lungs, lacerated back, shoulders, scalp, feet and wrists) to break out of the hundreds of pounds of wrapping, move the stone away from the tomb’s entrance (that weighed close to a ton) and claim that He had risen Himself from the dead?!?

To believe that takes more faith than to simply believe Jesus is who He has always claimed to be, and that He lived, died, rose from the dead and lives today!

Know It! You can depend on Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of Truth. He has never deceived and never will deceive. His character is holy and honest and righteous.

Read It!
Luke 24:1-3; John 19:34; John 19:38-42.

Pray It!
Jesus, I’ve always heard that faith is simple. Now I think I’m finally beginning to understand why. I don’t have to know how You rose from the dead; I simply need to believe that You did. And based on the wacky theories nonbelievers have created, I’m glad all I need is a quiet, simple faith. I do believe, Jesus. I do believe!

Check out yesterday’s devo, The Resurrection and Events Surrounding It .