Athough the cross is recognized worldwide as the emblem of Christianity, it is really an empty tomb that lies at the heart of our faith. Christianity owes its uniqueness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All of the tombs of the founders of the world’s religions are occupied, with one notable exception. The tomb of Christ is empty!

Many try to dismiss the profound truth of the empty tomb with untenable arguments. Some simply say it’s a mere fabrication. Yet, there is more historical evidence to substantiate the resurrection of Christ than there is to substantiate the existence of Julius Caesar or Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo. While no one doubts the existence of Julius Caesar or that Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo, the world is filled with those who scoff at the unoccupied sepulcher of the Savior.

Besides the historical evidence, there are two other insurmountable hurdles to be overcome if one is to dismiss Christ’s resurrection as mere fabrication. First, there is the steadfastness of His disciples. Why would they have lived their lives and died as martyrs for what they knew to be a hoax? Second, there is the silence of Christ’s enemies. Why didn’t they produce His body and disprove the Christian faith before it ever got started?

According to the Scripture, there were more than 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:6). One eyewitness is normally enough to prove a case in most modern-day courts. Yet, more than 500 is unconvincing to all of today’s unconverted cynics.

Though the evidence of so many eyewitnesses should serve as proof positive of Christ’s resurrection, the Apostle Peter says that we have even greater proof in what he calls the “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:16-21). Of all of the holy books of all of the religions of the world, only the Bible contains prophecy. The Bible predicted Christ’s death, burial and resurrection hundreds of years before it ever happened. The perfect fulfillment of all the Bible prophesied not only serves as proof of Christ’s resurrection, but also of the Bible’s divine inspiration.

Christ Himself foretold of His death and resurrection, proclaiming that His prophesied resurrection would serve as proof of His claims (Matthew 12:38-40; John 2:18-21). According to the Apostle Paul, Christ was proven “to be the Son of God” by His “resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Christ didn’t just predict His death, burial and resurrection, but He actually pulled it off. Therefore, you should have no problem believing that the resurrected Christ is who He said He was! His empty tomb proves His claims and declares to the world that He is the Son of God!

Multitudes of lives have been miraculously changed over the last two millennium by a personal encounter with the resurrected Christ. These transformed lives are truly inexplicable apart from the fact that Christ is alive in the world today. He is still touching hearts and transforming men. I know, because I too have encountered the ever-living resurrected Christ, which is the empty tomb’s most indisputable evidence.

“I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;

I know that he is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.”