Believing the Unbelievable
Scripture Reading — Luke 24:1-12
They did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.
Some time ago I heard two people on a radio program talking about Christianity. One was sure that no thinking person could possibly take the Christian religion seriously, and to him the teaching of a physical resurrection was religious nonsense. I found his words very upsetting.
But it should not come as a surprise that millions of people find it hard to believe in a physical resurrection. According to today's verses, even Jesus' closest disciples, who had been with him for three years, had trouble believing it at first. Several women told them they had seen Jesus alive again. But in the words of our text, "Their words seemed to them like nonsense." Some of the disciples did not believe until they had seen the Savior in person.
It takes God's gift of faith to accept the fact of Jesus' resurrection. We need the eyes of faith to catch a glimpse of the risen Savior and believe that he is alive. If you find it impossible to believe that Jesus of Nazareth came back to life, read the gospel accounts and ask the Holy Spirit to convince you. And if you know someone who refuses to believe, pray for that person and ask the Spirit to open their eyes. Reason with them, and share with them the resurrection discussion in 1 Corinthians 15 so that, for them also, the unbelievable can become believable!
Father in heaven, help us to believe that Jesus rose from the dead, and make us your instruments in leading others to know you. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.ar
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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