What if

The events being commemorated this Easter weekend by millions of Christians around the world are the foundation of our faith, based on the written testimonies of eyewitnesses to these events. Indeed if these accounts are not true, we might as well call it quits. The apostle Paul said, "....if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." (1 Corinthians 15:14 NLT).

But if these accounts are true and these events did happen, then the implications for how we live our lives are tremendous.

A person may say that they don't believe these events took place or that they have significance for us today. But the implications are too significant and serious to simply base that conclusion on personal assumptions rather than a thorough investigation of these eyewitness accounts.

Dr. Peter Stoner, Professor Emeritus of Science at Westmont College calculated the mathematical probability that one man could fulfill all of the major Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. He determined that the probability of one man precisely fulfilling 48 of these prophecies is one in 10^157 (or a 1o with 157 zeroes behind it), or mathematically impossible. And the more specific in detail the prophecies are, the less likely they would occur by chance. Here are just seven:

The soldiers casting lots for Jesus clothing at the foot of the cross was foretold in Psalm 22: 18 and fulfilled in Mark 15: 24

That the Messiah would be betrayed by a close friend was foretold in Psalm 41: 9 and fulfilled in Luke 22: 47-48

That He would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver was foretold in Zechariah 11: 12-13 and fulfilled in Matthew 26:14-15.

That the blood money paid for Christ's betrayal would be used to buy a potter's field was foretold in Zechariah 11: 12-13 and fulfilled in Matthew 27: 9-10.

That Christ would be scourged and spat upon was foretold in Isaiah 50:6 and fulfilled in Matthew 26: 67 and Matthew 27: 26.

That He would be crucified between two thieves was foretold in Isaiah 53: 12 and fulfilled in Matthew 27: 38; Mark 15: 27-28 and Luke 22: 37.

That Christ would suffer the piercing of his hands and feet was foretold in Psalm 22: 16 and Zechariah 12: 10 and fulfilled in Mark 15:25, John 19: 37 and John 20: 25-27.

What if...?
What if for a time or a season we laid aside our questions and doubts, even though we are justified in having them? What if we realized that God isn't threatened by our questions anyway?

What if we allowed ourselves to consider the possibility that these accounts of Jesus' life, death and resurrection may be true?

What if we allowed our hearts to imagine the possibility that Jesus really does love us so much that he would rather die than live without us?

What if His love transforms our lives....?

Orchid Mania 2010

A few of my favorite photos from this year's orchid show at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens..