Did Jesus really die and rise?

I was invited by the Mercury to submit, along with a number of other Hobart Church leaders, a short Easter message for their Good Friday edition.  I share it here also.  If you would like to ask further questions about the historical foundations and evidence for the Christian faith and/or the resurrection of Jesus, or anything regarding the faith, you can do so here (simply click on comment...you may have to add a few details if doing this for the first time): 

The historical evidence for Jesus' existence and crucifixion is overwhelming.  However, both Jesus and the Bible claim much more than this.  They insist that Jesus' life, death and resurrection were predicted and recorded for over a thousand years beforehand by various Old Testament prophets.  Further, they maintain He came to make God the Father known, his death was a necessary sacrifice for our sins, and his resurrection vindicated his claim to be one with God the Father.

During the past 2,000 years sceptics have sought to disprove the resurrection.  Many were stunned by the powerful case for it.  Some, Like Strobel, converted to Christianity as a result. 
Lee Strobel, an award winning investigative journalist and law graduate, reported for the Chicago Tribune.  He wrote a series on the resurrection because his wife had become a Christian and he thought he could easily discredit her new 'superstition'.  Amazingly, he became so convinced by what he found that he ended up becoming a Christian. In the end he admitted it wasn't a lack of evidence that was the real issue, but his proud, stubborn heart and pre-conceived biases.   The 2017 movie drama called 'The case for Christ' tells his story.  It is readily available for purchase or streaming and the same titled book is easy to read and compelling.  Hundreds of millions the world over claim to know this Jesus personally as a resurrected, living, powerful, loving and life changing person.   As another convert and great defender of the Christian faith C.S Lewis said, given the claims Jesus made he can't just be a great moral teacher.  He is either a lunatic, totally evil or else he is who he really claimed to be.  Lewis concluded 'you must make your choice'.
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Warm regards and blessings,
 
Pastor Mike Steicke.