The Resurrection- Did it happen & does it matter?

In 2007, the Discovery Channel aired a documentary produced by James Cameron (Titanic) called the "Lost Tomb of Jesus." The documentary explored a tomb discovered in 1980 in a neighborhood east of Jerusalem known as the Talpiot Tomb. The tomb contained 10 ossuaries (bone boxes) with one having the inscription "Jesus, son of Joseph." Another box had an inscription for Mary, presumably Mary Magdalene and even more provocative was a box reading, "Judah son of Jesus."

Was Jesus really resurrected from the dead? There are plenty of skeptics, along with many who simply do not care enough to consider the facts.

"It is an embarrassing insight into human nature that the more fantastic the scenario, the more sensational is the promotion it receives and the more intense the faddish interest it attracts. People who would never bother reading a responsible analysis of the traditions about how Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and rose from the dead are fascinated by the report of some "new insight" to the effect he was not crucified or did not die, especially if his subsequent career involved running off with Mary Magdalene to India." --Raymond E. Brown, "The Death of the Messiah." (1994)

For many people, the resurrection is a spiritual story of hope that has little bearing on their everyday lives. This raises a second important question. Does it really matter if Jesus was raised from the dead?

According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, the resurrection of Jesus is of critical importance. "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." (1 Cor. 15:17.)