Too Good to be True?

There’s an old saying: “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn’t true.” There are some things that are so farfetched that their veracity is questioned at every turn.

This advice comes from the website LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com: Education, good judgment, and a healthy dose of skepticism are the best defenses against becoming a victim. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! (Article Source: http://www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com/)

There are many “seems too good to be true” things in life. It is possible to notice them even in the resurrection of Jesus of from the dead. Have you ever thought about the resurrection of Christ as something that seems too good to be true? Christianity’s opponents, better known as skeptics, agnostics, and atheists, have used that very idea in their attack upon the resurrection of Christ. Using their “education, good judgment, and a healthy dose of skepticism,” they have discounted the greatest miracle of all, the resurrection of Christ. Their argument is that it sounds just too good to be true. Came back to life? Impossible. Seen by all those people? Mistaken identity or hallucination. They do their best to make their disbelief believable to the multitudes. Is the resurrection really too good to be true?

In Acts 1:1-5 there is a hint it was.

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’”

Luke told Theophilus that after the resurrection, Jesus used “many convincing proofs…” (v. 3a). Many convincing proofs? What were they and why were they needed? The words translated, “convincing proofs” are from one Greek word which means “a sure sign.” Of course in its plural form, here in Acts 1:3, it means “sure signs.” So what were the “many convincing proofs?” Two signs were presented many times over the course of 40 days: His bodily appearance and His speaking about the Kingdom of God. In Luke 24, Luke supplies convincing proofs: on the Emmaus Road (vv. 13-32); to Peter (v. 34); and to the disciples (vv. 36-43). In each of those incidents during those 40 days, the resurrected Jesus’ appearances and speeches seemed too good to be true. But they were. The more He appeared and spoke to them, the more convinced they became.

Some years after the resurrection of Christ, Paul, in writing to the church in Corinth, offered the very first written word about resurrection – several years before the Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John accounts were written. Paul announced in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8,

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”

Many convincing proofs. Seems too good to be true. But it is true. Jesus is alive. It really is true. He is alive this very day. It was proven by your presence at church today, Easter Sunday. If you didn’t believe He was alive, I’m not sure you would go there. I’m quite certain some believers just show up out of habit. There is nothing wrong with being in the habit of showing up on Sunday for fellowship, Bible study and worship. Unfortunately, the habit of showing up can become nothing more than just that: the habit of showing up. We may show up with no desire for anything to happen, let alone to think of anything happening, that can be attributed only to the supernatural and overwhelming Presence of the Holy God.

Sadly the aliveness of Jesus doesn’t affect some of us very much anymore. We have become so accustomed to the clichés and God-talk that the reality of Jesus’ presence doesn’t do much to us. Even when someone is speaking on behalf of Christ, there is, for some of us, a mental block that prevents us from hearing, because we are too familiar, or we’ve not taken seriously the abiding of presence of Christ. Unfortunately, the convincing proofs just aren’t very convincing anymore.

Yet, I want to believe, so I maintain my ideal and offer the benefit of the doubt that we are a sure sign, a convincing proof that He is alive. It may seem too good to be true, but I believe it is.

Paul announced to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, and, consequently, to us, that believers are convincing proofs of the death and resurrection of Christ.

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

Christians have eternal life because of Christ, who died and was raised for us; therefore, we live our lives for him. We are the convincing proofs today that Jesus is alive. How is the world today to know that Jesus is alive? They will know when they see the convincing proofs of our changed lives, lived in His power and under His control. They will know when they see Christ living through us, that is, when we manifest the ideals and characteristics of the Kingdom of God as publicly taught by Him and illustrated in His earthly life. They will know when they observe us righting wrongs, caring for the needy and hurting, and standing for that which is godly and righteous. They will know when we demonstrate faith in the face of temptations, trying circumstances, and over-whelming odds. These are the proofs that convince a skeptical world that Christ is indeed alive!

At the same time, believers also must look for His convincing proofs; for we must know and be reminded that we serve a living Savior. By what convincing proofs is Jesus demonstrating to us that He is alive? He evidences Himself in the love and care shown to us by fellow believers. He proves Himself alive when we hear Him speak through the teaching and preaching of His Word. He is made sure to us when souls are saved and brought into the Kingdom. He is confirms He is alive when we see justice and righteousness being carried out in the world. Jesus is alive, and He provides the convincing proofs that we need to continue our journey of faith and perseverance!

Jesus still is presenting Himself alive by many convincing proofs. All we have to do is be ministering and be observant – to watch and listen. This is why I invite you to believe it with me and commit to showing and seeing Jesus alive and hearing Him in what might be considered unlikely places and people. Seems too good to be true, but it is. How about you and me? Could Jesus be presenting Himself alive to me in you, and could He be presenting Himself alive to you in me? Too good to be true? Oh, but it is true.

Jesus is alive in you and me. Jesus still is presenting Himself alive by many convincing proofs. All we have to do is be observant – to watch and listen. He is appearing and speaking through students, senior adults, middle aged adults, and children. He is appearing and speaking through all who have made the sure profession of faith.

If you are having trouble believing,I invite you to look around you. Jesus still is appearing and speaking, showing His aliveness with many convincing proofs. Seems too good to be true, but it is. He really is appearing and speaking through you and me. So, let us present ourselves alive with many convincing proofs to one another and the world. The world needs an appearance of Jesus and a word from Him. Will it come from you and me? Of course it will. Seems too good to be true, but it is.