Belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is foundational to the Christian faith.

You have to ask yourself: Did the resurrection really happen?

Some would love to argue against the resurrection, but study the facts. The disciples didn’t just take their belief in the resurrection to the grave. Their confidence in the resurrection of Christ is what put them in the grave.

So, what do you do with that?

At some point, all of us have to ask, could what Jesus said be true? And if it is, what am I going to do about it? Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

You don’t have to agree with Jesus’ claim. You don’t have to believe it, but Jesus said, “I am the way.” He did not say, I am one of many ways. He said, “I am the way.” He said “I am the truth.”

He did not say that he was part of the truth or one of many truths. He said, “I am the truth and the life” and “no one comes to the Father except through me.”

No matter how you look at it, this is a very exclusive claim from Jesus. He said other things like I and the Father are one. You only get to him through me. There is no other way to heaven.

Mohammad didn’t make these claims. Buddha didn’t make these claims. Confucius didn’t make these claims. Only Jesus made that claim.

Study the evidence. Take a look at what Jesus taught and the miracles he performed.

Consider the resurrection and the powerful claims that he made. Who do you say that he is?

Is Jesus a liar? If that is the case, he was a pretty good liar. He fooled all the disciples into leaving their homes, their families and their livelihood and then to go to their grave proclaiming faith in him.

If what Jesus said was not true, then maybe he was certifiably crazy on the level of David Koresh or Jim Jones. Or maybe, just maybe, he is who he said he is — the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the World. There are really only three options; liar, lunatic or lord?

Who is Jesus? How do you answer that question verbally, intellectually or by the way that you live?

You really need to give this question, and the answer, your thoughtful consideration. It is the most important question you will ever answer in life.

Steve Greene is a pastor in Seymour. Send comments to [email protected].