“So what about you?”
At first, Courtney looked at me, and then she gazed off into the distance, reflecting on the question. I had asked the question as she waited our table. Her answer: “I think there is a God out there. I’m not sure. I just try to be a good person.”
Such a powerful question that moves philosophical thought to personal reflection. A question that narrows down generalizations to focused specifics. It cuts to the heart of an individual and forces them to stop pointing the finger at others and focus on their life and, ultimately, their death.
Death is the great equalizer. You and I may not have met face to face or gone fishing together. I’m sure I would like you, but I don’t really know you. There is one truth, however, I do know: You are a few seconds closer to death than when you started reading this. Death is the one common denominator for all of us, whether you are young or old, rich or poor, male or female, small or fat, Goth or prep, white or black, or prefer Diet Coke over Coke Zero.
Death is coming. There is no stopping it. There is no slowing it down. Death brings despair, depression and destruction. You must deal with it.
When Jesus was dead in the tomb, all hope dissolved. A movement that 12 disciples had given up their families, their careers and their life savings for was dead.
God is dead. Hope is dead.
If the story ended there, you’d have a weak religion, and yours would be just like all the other world religions. You would be responsible for saving yourself.
Your entire faith hinges on the resurrection of Jesus. If he is still in the tomb, so is your hope.
The resurrection separates Jesus from the pack. If Jesus rose from the grave, everything changes. There is something more after death. Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh who had the power to forgive sins. If I was God, and someone claimed to be me, I’d make sure he stayed six feet under. If I were one of the disciples running scared, I’d keep running — unless I met the resurrected Savior face to face. As each one of my fellow disciple-friends died one by one for their faith, I would recant — unless I saw Jesus alive. The 12 disciples told the gospel to everyone they met and watched each one of them die a martyr’s death until only John was left.
Jesus is alive! The tomb is empty! Death is defeated!
This Easter, there will be some believers who will have a hard time containing their excitement. They will invite friends to special services at church and tell them of the hope they have in the resurrection. Others will sit their children down and tell the story again of Jesus’ resurrection and of when they came to know Jesus. Then they will ask them the powerful question that collides God’s story with their story:
“So what about you?”
— If you struggle with sharing Jesus with someone close to you, consider reading “Close Encounters” by Lee Clamp, available at CourierPublishing.com.