City Life Starter

Written by C. S. Blesson

The Word

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:1-3 (ESV)

Reflection

Proof matters! In an age where the historicity and authenticity of the Bible are often dismissed as myth or fairy tale, many voices in academic and popular culture attempt to reinterpret or debunk what earlier generations accepted as established truth. New theories are frequently introduced as “fresh knowledge,” sometimes with little regard for the substantial historical evidence that already exists. Yet when one pauses long enough to examine the facts surrounding the Holy Scriptures, a remarkable depth of evidence emerges. Far from weakening faith, this evidence can strengthen confidence in the truth of the Christian message and the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

One common assumption is that people living in the first century were naïve or intellectually unsophisticated. This assumption is historically inaccurate. The people of the ancient world were capable thinkers who questioned, debated, and carefully evaluated claims. The earliest followers of Jesus did not simply accept extraordinary claims without evidence. The work of Luke illustrates this point clearly. In the opening of the Gospel of Luke, Luke explains that he carefully investigated the events surrounding Jesus and compiled an orderly account based on the testimony of eyewitnesses (Luke 1:1–4). As the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, Luke presents himself as a careful historian. He interviewed eyewitnesses, gathered reports, and recorded events as they unfolded. At times, he even traveled with the apostle Paul, documenting the early church’s expansion.

Luke writes that after His suffering, Jesus presented Himself alive to the disciples with “many convincing proofs” (Acts 1:3). These proofs included repeated appearances over a forty-day period, conversations with the disciples, and shared meals that demonstrated He was truly alive. These were not private visions or isolated experiences, but events witnessed by multiple individuals.

Application

The question for people in the twenty-first century is simple: Do we truly believe what is written in the Scriptures? In a world filled with skepticism, the Bible is often dismissed as myth or legend. Yet when we carefully examine the evidence, we discover that the testimony of Scripture points to the historical reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ is not blind belief but a thoughtful response to credible testimony and enduring evidence. The challenge for us today is to pause, consider the truth of Scripture, and decide whether we will trust the witness it presents about the risen Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for your Son, Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life and died for me on the cross. Open my eyes to see the Truth and place my belief in The Truth. Strengthen my belief in the reality of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.