Jesus is Alive!
A healthy Fairy Penguin, Sydney; Photo by Crina-Miriam Cretu on Unsplash
Minister’s Letter - 2 April 2026
Dear Friends, I had about three minutes and under 400 words for my home-made Cathedral video to promote our services on social media. Below is what I said…
The central claim of Christianity: Jesus is alive.
Not just his memory lives on in our hearts. Not that his teaching still inspires today. But Jesus rose from the dead – flesh and blood, he conquered the grave!
That’s why 2 Timothy 1:10 says “Christ Jesus …has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”!
But of course, dead people don’t rise. I’ve conducted over 100 funerals. I’ve never had to cancel a service because the deceased got better.
So I’m naturally sceptical. Is it any different with Jesus? Here’s the evidence I find persuasive...
The New Testament documents were written close to the events – most within the same generation! And the Bible actually includes multiple, independent sources for Jesus, including Mark, John, James, Paul, Matthew and Luke’s sources. This criterion is important to ancient historians.
What about the resurrection of Christ? Here are three strands of evidence.
First, his tomb was empty. Even the earliest anti-Christian propaganda agrees with this. Otherwise the authorities would have exhumed the body to expose the charade.
Second, eyewitnesses testified that Jesus appeared to them alive after his death.
Multiple times where Jesus was seen, heard and touched. The names of many eyewitnesses were recorded. In the first century you could have cross-examined them!
Third, where did the transformation of Jesus’ disciples come from? Peter – from cowardly denier to brave preacher. Thomas – from doubter to believer. Paul – from persecutor to missionary. It’s hard to believe they’d do this unless convinced Jesus really was alive.
A fisherman arrived at Taronga Zoo with an injured penguin. He said fell it from the sky, and hit him while fishing. The vet said: Impossible – penguins can’t fly. But they examined the bird’s injuries… puncture wounds consistent with sea eagle talons, broken ribs from a fall. The Zoo team guessed the penguin was snatched from the sea, then dropped by its predator. Something that looks too strange to be true can appear more plausible once the evidence is examined closely.
So why not join us this Easter at the Cathedral or any local Anglican Church. Explore the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Jesus is alive. I know he’s changed my life. And trusting Jesus brings life and immortality to light.
Warmly in Christ,
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney
P.S. Here’s an interesting article from Professor Mike Kruger, as regards to historical study on “What’s the Best Argument for the Resurrection?” Kruger is a leading scholar in the study of the origins of the New Testament, particularly the development of the New Testament canon.