What does Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection mean for us? (The conclusion)
What to Know
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are historically reliable: Supported by biblical, historical, archaeological, and extra-biblical evidence, these events stand among the best-documented in ancient history.
Scholarly consensus affirms Jesus’ historicity: The overwhelming majority of historians and scholars agree that Jesus existed, was crucified, and that His followers genuinely believed He rose from the dead.
Evidence supports the resurrection: The crucifixion, burial, empty tomb, post-resurrection appearances, and the disciples’ transformation are well attested. Early Christian creeds and extra-biblical accounts corroborate the New Testament narrative.
Alternative explanations fail: Theories like the Stolen Body, Swoon, Hallucination, Legend, Wrong Tomb, and Conspiracy theories cannot adequately account for the evidence and are critically flawed.
The resurrection validates Jesus’ identity: It confirms His claim to be the Messiah and Son of God, offering profound implications for the meaning of life and the human search for purpose.
The resurrection offers hope and purpose: In a world marked by despair and disconnection, the resurrection of Jesus is a beacon of hope and calls humanity to follow His teachings—love, service, forgiveness, and a transformative relationship with God.
The ultimate meaning of life is found in Jesus Christ: Through His resurrection, He offers eternal life and a clear purpose—living in alignment with God’s plan and reflecting His light in a dark world.
To conclude, the following points about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have been established as factual based on the biblical account, supported by historical evidence, archaeological discoveries, and secular (non-biblical) accounts:
Crucifixion: The crucifixion of Jesus is a historically reliable event.
Burial: The burial account fits with all available historical evidence.
Empty Tomb: The empty tomb is attested by multiple sources, with no contradictory accounts.
Post-Resurrection Appearances: The apostles claimed to have personally encountered the resurrected Jesus.
Martyrdom of Apostles: The apostles were willing to suffer and die for their belief in the resurrection.
Conversion of Skeptics: Even those unlikely to believe were converted through personal experiences with the resurrected Christ.
While absolute certainty is difficult to accomplish, the overwhelming evidence supports the historical existence of Jesus Christ. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ stand as some of the most well-documented events in ancient history. The convergence of biblical narratives, extra-biblical accounts, archaeological discoveries, and historical scholarship provides a compelling case for these cornerstone events of Christianity. Lee Strobel captures the weight of these findings and their significance: “It didn't take long for me to conclude that the truth or falsity of all world religions — and the ultimate meaning of life itself — comes down to just one key question: did Jesus, or did He not, return from the dead?" The resurrection is pivotal because it validates Jesus’ claims of being the Messiah and carries profound implications for the meaning of life.
Can we confidently assert that Jesus Christ existed approximately 2,000 years ago, was crucified, and was resurrected from the dead? These are bold claims and while absolute certainty may be elusive, the overwhelming consensus among scholars affirms these key points. Philosopher Richard Swinburne of Oxford University, after analyzing the evidence using a strictly factual approach, argued that there is a 97% probability that Jesus rose from the dead. This conclusion underscores the strength of the historical and archaeological evidence. Eric Meyers, emeritus professor of Judaic studies at Duke University, states, "I don't know many mainstream scholars who doubt the historicity of Jesus. The details have been debated for centuries, but no serious scholar doubts that he was a historical figure." The extensive evidence from the Bible and numerous extra-biblical sources affirms not only that Jesus was a real historical figure, but also that He was crucified, and rose from the dead.
If Jesus truly rose from the dead, His claims about Himself demand serious consideration. Jesus foretold His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31) — a feat impossible without divine authority. The resurrection confirms Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and His message of salvation for humanity. N.T. Wright offers a profound reflection: “Why didn't the early Church follow the patterns of other messianic movements after their leaders were executed? Why did it consider Jesus its leader and the fulfillment of Israel's destiny? The unique organization and missionary zeal of the early Church, despite the public humiliation and execution of its leader, points to the profound impact of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit.”
So, what is the meaning of life? This question, which has echoed through centuries of human thought, finds its ultimate answer in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we have seen, the resurrection is not merely a religious claim, but a historical event, supported by robust evidence from biblical accounts, historical records, and archaeological findings. The empty tomb, the post-resurrection appearances, and the transformation of the disciples all point to one inescapable conclusion: Jesus Christ rose from the dead, validating His identity as the Messiah and Son of God.
This truth has profound implications for humanity’s enduring search for purpose. In a world marked by existential despair, rising mental health crises, and a growing sense of spiritual disconnection, the resurrection offers a beacon of hope. Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), revealing that life's ultimate purpose is found in Him. His teachings call us not to superficial religiosity, but to a transformative way of living that aligns with God’s greater plan for humanity.
Now that we have established the reliability of the Bible and the truth of Jesus Christ through the historical record, the question shifts from "What is the meaning of life?" to "What will we do with the meaning that Jesus offers?" Humanity's greatest calling is to live as Christ taught — to love, serve, forgive, and reflect God’s light in a world often overshadowed by darkness. Through His resurrection, Jesus not only conquered death, but opened the door for all to share in eternal life and to have a profound relationship with God, if they choose to follow.
The meaning of life is clear: it is found in Jesus Christ. As Paul writes in Colossians 1:27, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Embracing Him means embracing purpose, hope, and the true meaning of life.
But how do we connect with Jesus Christ and His teachings? To find the answers, we must turn to the Bible and uncover what Jesus and Scripture truly teach about the “narrow path” God asks of us which leads to eternal life. We can begin to see that path through God’s established Feast and Holy Days.
Sources
Dr. Simon Gathercole on Pauline Epistles: Simon Gathercole, "The Gospel of Paul: What’s the Good News?" The Good Book Company, 2021.
Archaeological Evidence on Judean Life: Byron McCane, "Death in Roman Palestine: Archaeology and the Historical Jesus," Bible Review, 1998.
Byron McCane on Jesus in Historical Context: National Geographic Interview, The Real Jesus, March 2017.
Crucifixion as Historical Fact: John Dominic Crossan, "Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography," HarperOne, 1994.
Women as Witnesses: Josephus, "Antiquities of the Jews," Book IV.
Chuck Colson on the Resurrection: Chuck Colson, "Born Again," Chosen Books, 1976.
N.T. Wright on the Early Church: N.T. Wright, "The Resurrection of the Son of God," Fortress Press, 2003.
Richard Swinburne on the Probability of the Resurrection: Richard Swinburne, "The Resurrection of God Incarnate," Clarendon Press, 2003.
Eric Meyers on the Historicity of Jesus: Eric Meyers, Interview, CNN, "Archaeologists Unearth New Clues About Jesus," 2014.
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