FACTS ABOUT JOSEPHUS
     1. Josephus was a Jewish historian writing during the first century A.D. to record the events of history.
     2. As a first century historian, Josephus was writing to please the Romans when he wrote his Antiquities.
     3. There is never any indication that Josephus was a Christian at the time he wrote the Antiquities, nor did he ever profess to be a Christian later.

CONCERNING THE HISTORIAN JOSEPHUS

“Josephus is the diligent and the greatest lover of truth of all writers: nor are we afraid to affirm of him, that it is more safe to believe him, not only as to the affairs of the Jews, but also as to those that are foreign to them, than all the Greek and Latin writers; and this, because his fidelity and his compass of learning are everywhere conspicuous.” —De Emendatione Temporum by Joseph Scaliger

ANTIQUITIES, 18.3.3

“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man,
if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as received the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him many Jews, and also many of the Greeks. This man was the Christ. And when Pilate had condemned him to the cross, upon his impeachment by the principal man among us, those who had loved from the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive on the third day, the divine prophets having spoken these and thousands of other wonderful things about him. And even now, the race of Christians, so named from him, has not died out.” —ANTIQUITIES, 18.3.3 by Josephus

QUESTION
Since Josephus was writing to record the historical facts of the first century at the pleasure of the Romans, “Why would he record that Jesus was ‘alive the third day’ after he was crucified (killed) three days earlier if it were not true?” Remember, the Romans said that “the disciples stole the body of Jesus” (Matthew 28:11-15).

WHAT DOES THE RESURRECTION MEAN FOR US TODAY?
     1. WE CAN TRUST JESUS
          • What Jesus promised the disciples happened.
               o He would be crucified. (Luke 9:21-22; 9:43-45; 18:31-34)
               o He would rise from the dead on the third day. (Matthew 16:21; 20:17-19)

          • What Jesus promises for us will also happen!
               o He promised all believers a heavenly home. (John 14:1-2)
               o He promised all believers He would return to get us. (John 14:3-6)

     2. JESUS GIVES US SECOND CHANCES!
          • Jesus gave people a “second chance.”
               o Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. (Luke 23:54-62)
               o Yet, Jesus reassured Peter three times He would use Peter in ministry. (John 21:15-17)
          • Jesus will give us second chances when we mess up! (I John 1:5-10)

     3. THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE TRUSTWORTHY for TODAY and the FUTURE!
          • Promises of God found in the Scriptures:
               o 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 4:16-18; 9:8
               o Galatians 6:9
               o Philippians 4:6-7 and 19
               o I Thessalonians 5:23-24
          • More Promises of God found in the Scriptures:
               o Hebrews 13:5-6
               o James 1:2-4; 4:8a
               o 1 Peter 1:3-5; 5:6-7
               o 1 John 5:14-15

BECAUSE: The Resurrection shows us:
     1. We can trust JESUS.
     2. JESUS gives us “second chances.”
     3. The promises of GOD are trustworthy.
THEN: The Resurrection means we have HOPE!

THE 30-DAY CHALLENGE:
          • BEGINNING on APRIL 1 and continuing through APRIL 30, START SOMETHING NEW.
          • Choose a monthly, weekly OR daily challenge to accomplish.
               o A new thing for the month: Share the Gospel with someone in April.
               o A new thing for the week: Attend church every Sunday in April.
               o A new thing for each day: Read the Bible every day in the month of April.
          • RESOURCE: Responses by from the “Responses From Family Meeting: What Did God Say to You?”