If this whole story of how Jesus rose from the dead two thousand years ago is merely a fairy tale…a fable…a legend…then I’ve been duped, and I’ve been a false witness.
You see…it’s like this…since I was thirteen I’ve been agreeing with the notion, and perpetuating the idea that Jesus was (and is) a real person. I’ve told people how He suffered a horrible death for the sins of the world. And I’ve shared how He rose again from the dead to show us how we can also rise again into eternal life.
Now, I wholeheartedly agree this all sounds silly…to an unbeliever. But to one who believes and trusts in the accounts of the life of Jesus found in the Bible, it all makes complete sense. The Bible appears to do a pretty darn good job of explaining how we came to be, who we are, and why we even exist.
Still…if there is no God…if there never was a man born of a virgin, son of God, named Jesus, I’ve been a false witness and a fool. If the story is proved to be false, I would ask for your forgiveness as well as your pity. I’d hope you could find it in your heart to have mercy and compassion for me. And I would also desire to know more about your faith…provided it was placed in the actual truth.
But…(you knew there would be a but, didn’t you?)
…my hope, trust, belief, and faith are in a Risen Savior. I’m compelled by the insurmountable evidence found in manuscripts, archeology, prophesy, and the laws of statistical probabilities…not to mention pure science (but I’ll mention it anyway).
I’m compelled by the truly changed lives I’ve seen throughout my lifetime. The hopeless find hope. The helpless find help. The unloved find love.
There is no other message in the history of the world that so brilliantly and breathtakingly conveys an eternal love toward every human being. Only the righteous and redeeming message of God taking on human flesh to take the punishment we deserve can so completely renew and strengthen our spirits.
We fail and God’s love flourishes. We sin and God saves. We doubt and God delivers. I don’t, for a second, believe I’m being a false witness or a fool to share this with you. My hope is for those who disagree to accept the love God wants them to have. My hope is for failures to fight…for sinners to see…and for doubters to discover. My hope is in the Lord.
In Faith, Hope, and Love”
