But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 1 Corinthians 15:13-15

What would motivate a group to insanely report the absurd, and more importantly, to radically alter their lives under the threat of severe punishment–even death–to keep on reporting it? Because it’s true, that’s why.

Pilate questioned Jesus, “What is truth?” One who was mangled and mutilated beyond recognition standing in a new body is one pretty good example, for starters. The 500 plus followers Jesus appeared to after he rose from the dead knew very well that he was alive, because they knew very well he was dead. The apostle John was there at the foot of the cross with mother Mary, and he later saw and ate with the resurrected Jesus–the Lord serving up the fish. Paul saw Jesus on the road to Damascus, but even after that he met with Peter, who saw Jesus face to face. James, Jesus’ own brother, most certainly knew he was dead, and the Lord checked in with him. And many others witnessed the risen savior alive and well. So when Paul tells us that if there is no resurrection from the dead, he’s a fraud, and so are we, it should mean something.

Surely Satan can lie to our face that it’s not true, but why is he still hell-bent on dissuading us if he’s not dealing with a nagging persistent reality that Jesus is alive?

Christianity is based on solid incontrovertible evidence–an empty tomb, and a living and breathing body. Surely Satan can lie to our face that it’s not true, but why is he still hell-bent on dissuading us if he’s not dealing with a nagging persistent reality. He’s really, really motivated to withhold or obscure the truth, as we should be to share it.

But know this, the truth is on–and get this–by our side. There is no escaping it.