Did the United States actually land on the moon, or are the pictures fake? Did Lee Harvey Oswald act alone, or were there others behind the assassination? Are birds real, or are they actually drones (yep, look it up!)? Is the earth really flat? What about Roswell and the UFO that crashed there, real or fake? How about Paul McCartney - is he actually dead? And Princess Diana - is she actually alive? These are just a few of MANY conspiracy theories that have stirred discussion and debate, even division between those who believe them and those who don’t, representing LOTS of time and LOTS of money spent on trying to reveal “the truth.” Sadly, sometimes despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, conspiracy theories can be very difficult to disprove and dispel. And in case you haven’t noticed over the last few years, conspiracy theories have spread faster, wider, and hotter than the wildfires in Canada or Maui. And their smoke (and mirrors) often clouds our better judgment.
In fact, our faith is actually based on what we believe about the most controversial, life-changing, world-impacting conspiracy theory ever contrived….the resurrection (or not!) of Jesus Christ….
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. (Matthew 27:62-66)
(Then there was the earthquake and the rolling away of the stone from the entry to the tomb.)
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. (Matthew 28:11-15)
Lies, deception, power, money...it's all there, as if taken right off the pages of a James Patterson or John Grisham novel. To substantiate the conspiracy, explanations for the empty tomb were concocted:
1. Jesus was only unconscious and was later revived. BUT, a Roman soldier confirmed that Jesus was dead by piercing His side to confirm this. In addition, Jesus’ body had indeed been wrapped and placed in the tomb.
2. The women made a mistake and went to the wrong tomb. BUT, two of the women had seen Jesus placed in the tomb and two of the disciples went to the same tomb.
3. Unknown thieves stole Jesus’ body. BUT, the tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers.
4. The disciples stole Jesus’ body. BUT, would they have been willing to die for their faith if they had stolen Jesus’ body?
5. The religious leaders stole Jesus’ body. BUT, wouldn’t they have then produced the body to dispel the rumors of His resurrection?
Conspiracy theories…where’s the body…who took the body…why would anyone want to steal the body…who was this guy really…what difference does it make anyway?!
How did the followers of Jesus respond to all of this? Was the truth of what happened obvious to them? Afterall, they had been with Jesus and clearly heard Him predict His own death and resurrection. Surely they remembered the resurrection of Lazarus. Surely they knew. Surely they believed. Well, ummm, it took a little time……..
Mary Magdalene didn’t even believe she was talking to Jesus until He spoke her name. The disciples thought the women who told them the tomb was empty were talking foolishness and most of them didn’t believe their story. In spite of being told by the angel at the tomb to go and meet Jesus in Galilee, the disciples were fearful and remained behind locked doors in Jerusalem. Thomas didn’t believe he was talking to the risen Christ until he actually touched Jesus’ pierced hands and side.
I get it….this is a tough story to believe! The truth seems unimaginable. Even those who were closest to Jesus had a hard time believing the facts…until He came to them.
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. (John 20:29b-30)
Then, after Jesus’ departure when He arose to sit at the right hand of the Father, He sent His Holy Spirit to be with His followers to teach them (and us), and to convict the world of sin. His Spirit lives in us, revealing the thoughts of God to us, and guiding us to truth and knowledge. All of this He does so that we will not fall prey to the abounding conspiracy theories that attempt to divert our attention from defending the absolute truth of His resurrection and His identity as the Son of God the Father.
As for conspiracy theories, Scripture is clear. Isaiah 8:12 tells us, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them.” Conspiracy theories almost always cause us to live in dread and fear, but the Holy Spirit leads us into truth and knowledge so that we will not dread or fear.
So, is there a conspiracy theory you spend your time discussing and debating? Is it worth dying for? Because if you’re a Christian, you’ve been entrusted with defending the Truth of the biggest conspiracy theory of all time! Don’t be deceived because the Truth is the Truth.
Jesus is risen, and He is alive and well!
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