So you say you want evidence.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but grew up in Nazareth, a lower class town far from the seat of power and influence, Jerusalem. As a Nazarene, he was looked down upon by the teachers, scribes and businessmen in Jerusalem. He was poor his entire life. He had little formal education, although he clearly knew the Scripture well. He had no political power; he had no military power; he had no economic power; he never travelled more than 50 or 100 miles from his home, except when he was carried to Egypt as a baby. He had a relatively few followers. He died at 33 in ignominious fashion. His followers were scattered, and held no power or influence as well. His message was carried about Asia minor and the Mediterranean by fishermen, laborers, and one tentmaker who was trained as a Jewish lawyer, and this handful of rabble were heavily persecuted by the most powerful rulers and kingdoms of the day. And yet....
He is the founder of the one religion that has spread farther--into every continent--and with more adherents than any other religion in history.
Something to think about.
As for me personally, I was an agnostic for years. Raised in a Christian home, I rejected the faith completely. In the early 1990s, I began to want to go to church again. I went to a church near my home, just to see what it was like. Slowly but surely, the Bible and the teaching began to hit me in a way they had never done before. I talked with other Christians, and voila, I realized the Holy Spirit had opened my eyes to the truth. It was subtle, but definite. I thank God that he reached out to me, who was, and is, a terrible sinner. I was an unsaved sinner, but now I am a righteous sinner, saved and resting in the Lord. I am truly blessed.
