LOOKING FOR ANSWER

Is it true that when Jesus died many tombs broke open and many dead people were raised from the dead?
Matthew is the only Gospel writer who records the incident of the raising of Old Testament "holy people" (Matthew 27:50-53) at the time of Jesus' death.

LOOKING FOR ANSWER

Is it true that the name Easter is pagan in origin?
The origins of Easter can be traced to several pre-Christian cultures.

LOOKING FOR ANSWER

Did God really forsake Jesus when He was dying on the cross?
Jesus' cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) has puzzled many. ... There is an unfathomable mystery here. Jesus was both God and man united in one divine Person. ...

MY ANSWER

Why did Jesus have to die?
Billy Graham writes, "He did not deserve to die but by taking upon Himself our sin and our guilt, He willingly suffered the judgment we deserve."

MY ANSWER

Why do Christians believe that God made Jesus go to the cross? I thought God is a God of love.
Billy Graham writes, "Yes, God is a God of love—and the greatest proof of His love is that He was willing to send His Son into the world to die for our salvation."

MY ANSWER

What does Jesus' suffering on the cross have to do with our salvation? Lots of people have suffered just as much.
Billy Graham writes, "Jesus' physical suffering was only a sign of a much deeper kind of suffering He was enduring: the suffering of His spirit."

MY ANSWER

Why are you convinced there is life after death?
Billy Graham writes, "Think about it a moment: What would it take to prove to us that there is life after death? The answer is clear: Someone would have to die, and then come back to life again."

MY ANSWER

I don't agree with those who say we are just as responsible for Jesus' death as the people who lived in the first century.
Billy Graham writes, "Perhaps you and I didn't stand with the crowd that fateful day and demand that Pilate execute Him. But in a far deeper way you and I were just as responsible for His death."

MY ANSWER

If Jesus was God (as you Christians believe), how could He die? Does this mean that God died?
Billy Graham writes, "One reason is because of Jesus' own statements about Himself, such as His assertion that 'I and the Father are one' (John 10:30)."

MY ANSWER

I don't understand why the death of Jesus almost 2,000 years ago makes any difference to me right now.
Billy Graham writes, "From a human point of view Jesus' death was simply another tragedy—but from God's point of view it accomplished far more than we could ever imagine."

MY ANSWER

Why did the crowds cheer Jesus when He rode into Jerusalem shortly before His crucifixion—but then turn against Him?
Billy Graham writes, "These weren't necessarily the same people who had welcomed Him—but the reversal is still striking."

MY ANSWER

Why didn't Jesus try to escape from those who were out to get Him?
Billy Graham writes, "Because He came into the world for one purpose: to become the final and complete sacrifice for our sins."

MY ANSWER

Why were Jesus' disciples so frightened after He was arrested and crucified?
Billy Graham writes, "They had hoped He would overcome the power of the Roman government and establish a new kingdom, and now their hopes of this vanished."

MY ANSWER

I read that Jesus didn't really die, but only appeared to be dead.
Billy Graham writes, "Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried and on the third day rose from the dead. Hundreds saw Him after the resurrection—and their lives were changed as a result."

MY ANSWER

I've always assumed the resurrection was just a myth, because nothing is more final than death.
Billy Graham writes, "The hardened Roman soldiers who crucified Him knew He was dead when they took Him down from the cross ... but on the third day that tomb was empty, and later hundreds saw Him.

MY ANSWER

Why do they call the day that Jesus was crucified "Good Friday"?
Billy Graham writes, "The death of Jesus was the greatest event in human history—and the reason is because through His death we can be saved.

MY ANSWER

Why was Jesus put to death? From what I can tell, He was very popular with most people in His day.
Billy Graham writes, "People come up with all kinds of reasons to reject Christ; they did then, and they do today."

MY ANSWER

How do you know Jesus was really divine?
Billy Graham writes, "The final proof of Jesus' divine nature was His resurrection from the dead. Anyone could claim to be the Son of God, but only Christ proved it by coming back from the grave."

MY ANSWER

What did Jesus mean when He said we have to carry a cross?
Billy Graham writes, "In Jesus' day, a cross wasn't just a symbol of pain and suffering; it was mainly a symbol of death. He calls on us to commit our whole lives to Him."

MY ANSWER

If Jesus was really God (as I understand you Christians believe), how could He die?
Billy Graham writes, "God is eternal and He can never die (i.e., cease to exist). This is why we can trust Him and put our lives into His hands. ... But when Jesus died on the cross, He didn't cease to exist."