I have a friend who's very intelligent and well educated (he's a research scientist for a drug company), but a few days before Easter he told me that he really believes Jesus rose from the dead. I've always assumed the resurrection was just a myth, because nothing is more final than death. How can he believe something like this? — S.P.

Why don't you ask him someday why he believes Jesus rose from the dead? No doubt, he's given a great deal of thought to this, and you might be surprised at the thoughtfulness of his answer.

You might also want to ask him how he came to believe in Jesus' resurrection—because he probably didn't always believe it. Like you, he knows that once a person dies, he or she doesn't come back to life. And yet your friend became convinced that there has been one exception—and that exception is Jesus Christ. I suspect you'll find that this belief has changed his life—and he'll probably tell you it can change yours, as well.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus' resurrection isn't a myth or symbol. Instead, it really happened! The hardened Roman soldiers who crucified Him knew He was dead when they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a borrowed cave-like tomb. But on the third day that tomb was empty, and later hundreds saw Him.

Why is this important? Because it tells us there is hope—hope for this life, and hope beyond the grave. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies" (John 11:25). This hope can become yours, as you turn in faith to the living Christ and ask Him into your life.