Thanks, Matt. Nice to meet you as well.
I do think there is evidence that Jesus rose from the dead. But I also agreed with you that “resurrection from the dead” appears to be an improbable event!
You are also correct that research of historical evidence of Jesus’s resurrection is not what inspired me to become a Jesus follower. I do think that the historical evidence of the resurrection is compelling, but the thought of someone rising from the dead is so extraordinary that I it makes sense why the historical record alone isn’t convincing to many.
I was and still am compelled by Jesus’s story (as told in the Bible), the friendship that God offers by His Spirit, and the invitation He gives to be a part of His story.
I say all of this since you asked about what compelled me. I’ll end with a few thoughts about Jesus’s story.
The story of Jesus, from Genesis to Revelation, really is the greatest story ever told. His story is mind blowing, beautiful and compelling. And it’s His story because He is (according to the 4 gospels), the snake crusher and curse breaker of Genesis 3. He’s the Prophet Priest King, the deliverer that Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David and Daniel typified but proved not to be. He is God stepping into his created world to fulfill the calling of Abraham and Israel to bring the nations to God so that humanity (adam) can fulfill the calling of Adam (humanity) to steward God’s good world as His partner. I love the story and I love him.
And I’ll add this because we’re at Peaceful Science. I think another really wonderful story is the one that we find by exploring the Natural World.