First, this question is not based on an attempt to question or confirm anyone's religious (or secular) beliefs.

Second, I am aware that there is no conclusive archaeological evidence of Jesus' existence.

From what I have read, I tend to think that there is too little information to decide conclusively either way, but a friend insists the personage of Jesus is clearly a fabrication; for support of his argument, he cites the lack of firsthand accounts, prison records, etc. from the Roman era.

Nevertheless, I am curious, and based on a conversation with this friend (and two popular articles from credible popular periodicals [The Guardian and The New Yorker]) it seems to me the jury is out as to whether or not Jesus ever actually lived.

My layman's understanding is that there is no direct, reliable firsthand account of Jesus' existence in any non-Christian historical document. I am also aware that Flavius Josephus, Tacitus, and other Roman writers and historians did mention Jesus. I am also aware all of these came well after Jesus' supposed date of death.

For the sake of simplicity and clarification, my question is: What is the consensus among historians regarding the existence of Jesus (the man) as a historical figure?

Thank you!