Answers

By   •   June 28, 2013   •   Topics: ,

Q:

My parents are committed atheists, but last Easter some friends took me to church. It was the first time I'd ever been to a church service, and I admit I actually liked it. But do Christians really believe Jesus rose from the dead? That's hard for me to swallow.


A:

Someday, I hope you’ll read the accounts of Jesus’ life in the Bible — and when you do, you’ll discover that at first His followers also had a hard time believing He rose from the dead.

I think, for example, of Thomas, who had been with Jesus almost from the beginning of His ministry. But after Jesus was executed, Thomas became bitter and discouraged. Even when reports reached him that Jesus’ grave was empty and some of His followers had seen Him, Thomas refused to believe it. He knew that death was the end, and it was impossible for anyone to come back to life. He declared, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it” (John 20:25).

But in time Thomas became a believer — because Jesus came to him and showed him that He had indeed come back from the grave, by the power of God. Thomas’ life was changed, and he spent the rest of his life telling others about Jesus.

In spite of your background, I believe God is giving you a hunger for Himself — and I pray you won’t ignore it. God is not only real, but He loves you and wants you to come to know Him in a personal way. And He has made this possible by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. Begin your spiritual journey by asking Him to come into your life today.