A Real Legend

An article published on The Guardian,  April 14, 2017, by renowned theologian and philosopher Simon Gathercole of Cambridge University (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/14/what-is-the-historical -evidence-that-jesus-christ-lived-and-died) talks about the evidence that Jesus really lived and is not a legend. The text "What is the historical evidence that Jesus Christ lived and died?" begins by stating that even before his martyrdom Jesus is mentioned by Roman and Jewish historians in dozens of writings in detail. The first written date of the year 25 after Christ and the writing in more detail is of the year 40 after Christ, when several witnesses were still alive and they lived subjugated to the Romans.

The first non-Christian author who spoke of Jesus was Flaviius Josephus who wrote the history of Judaism around 93 after Christ. He recorded something that leaves no doubt about the existence of Jesus: "Now at that time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him man, for he was a doer of marvelous works, a teacher of men who received the truth with pleasure. He attracted to him both Jews and many Gentiles. He was the Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the chief men among us, condemned him on the cross, those who loved him did not forsake him. For he appeared to them again on the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other marvelous things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so called by him, is not extinct to this day." (From the book: Antiquities of the Jews, publisher Createspace, 2014).

The apostles who were witnesses of his actions and messengers of his word passed the teachings of Jesus to his disciples. They were convinced of the risk of life they were running in propagating these messages. Despite this, the number of followers increased and they were so obstinate in fulfilling the mission of spreading salvation through the word of Jesus that they did not give up despite the persecutions and tortures until the death of their companions.

In fact, all the disciples were persecuted and tortured to death (with the exception of John who died in exile) for spreading Jesus and his deeds. Not only them but also their followers and such persecutions happened for 300 years during the Roman empire. That is, they embraced the mission of propagating Jesus so forcefully that they faced everything and gave their lives for the sake of this ideal.

Of course, each one of us has the freedom not to believe or to follow other paths and other beliefs, but all that Jesus has spoken and especially his resurrection is for us, who experience the painful separation from our children, cause of great hope and courage.

The resurrection of Jesus was witnessed by more than 500 people besides the apostles (1 Corinthians 15: 3-9) and is the greatest proof that he was the son of God, which justifies all the efforts of the followers.

Jesus himself promises us and thus comforts and calms our hearts: "... For I came down from heaven not to do my will, but the will of Him that sent me. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that I should lose none of them whom he gave me, but raise them up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father: that every person who sees the Son and believes in Him has eternal life. And I will raise him up at the last day " (Jn 17: 1-5).

We have every chance to rise again because we loved and will always love our children and love is the condition to reach eternal life: "... even if I had all faith, to the point of transporting mountains, if I have no love, I am not nothing ... Love will never end "(1 Cor 13: 1-8). We will resurrect and see our children! This is a great reason to live, believe and thank Jesus.