MY ANSWER

I've never understood why people refer to the day that Jesus died as "Good Friday."
Billy Graham writes, "They do so because of what He accomplished for us on that day. The key is to understand who Jesus was, and why He came into the world."

MY ANSWER

A friend of mine says that Jesus didn't really die on the cross, but He was just drugged. Is it possible he's right?
Billy Graham writes, "No, your friend is not right—and this isn't just because Christians believe otherwise, but because what he's suggesting isn't logical."

MY ANSWER

Which do you think was worse for Jesus, His physical suffering or His emotional and mental suffering?
Billy Graham writes, "Don't ever take lightly what it cost Jesus Christ to purchase your salvation. His physical and emotional sufferings were only indications of a far deeper suffering—the suffering of His soul for you and me."

MY ANSWER

I've heard preachers say that the only thing God can't do is commit a sin. But He can't die either, can He?
Billy Graham writes, "Death came into the world for one reason: because of sin. So in one way you are right: God can't die or go out of existence, because He can never sin."

MY ANSWER

If Jesus willingly came into the world to die for our sins, then why did He ask God to open up some other way?
Billy Graham writes, "You and I can barely understand the horror and suffering Jesus faced as He went to the cross. Not only would He endure terrible physical suffering (for crucifixion was an agonizing way to die), but ahead of Him was the terror of Hell itself."

MY ANSWER

Why does Jesus says God has forsaken Him on the cross? How could God have abandoned Him right when He needed God the most? Will God ever forsake us?
Billy Graham writes, "No, God will never forsake us if we have truly committed our lives to Christ. God's promise to His children couldn't be clearer: 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5)."

MY ANSWER

Why did Jesus allow people to put Him to death?
Billy Graham writes, "By His death on the cross, Jesus Christ opened the door to heaven for us—a door that would otherwise be closed."

MY ANSWER

How can you believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead and came back to life?
Billy Graham writes, "Did it ever occur to you that the first followers of Jesus would have had just as hard a time believing it as you do?"

MY ANSWER

What proof do you have that heaven actually exists?
Billy Graham writes, "The only way we could be sure would be if someone actually died and entered eternity—and then came back to life on this earth and told us about it. ... And this is what happened with Jesus!"

MY ANSWER

When Jesus went to the cross to die for our sins, did He go joyfully, or did He go reluctantly?
Billy Graham writes, "Although it may seem like a contradiction (although it isn't), the Bible indicates both are true: Jesus went to the cross reluctantly—and also joyfully."

MY ANSWER

I've never understood why Jesus, when He was on the cross, cried out and asked God why He had forsaken Him. If God turned His back on Jesus when He was dying, could He turn His back on us when the time comes for our death? This really worries me.

MY ANSWER

Why didn't Jesus try to escape being put to death? It seems to me that He could have avoided being arrested and sentenced to death by simply staying away from the authorities who were after Him.
If Jesus' purpose had been to live as long as possible, or even to keep teaching and healing as long as possible - then you are right: He could have avoided death.

MY ANSWER

Did Jesus realize that He was going to be arrested and put to death when He went to Jerusalem for the last time? It seems to me that He easily could have called on the crowds who supported Him to demand His release. Then He could have avoided what happened afterward. Why didn't He?
Jesus probably could have incited them into action and thus avoided His arrest and death. But He didn't - and the reason is because He knew He had come into the world to die for our sins.

MY ANSWER

Why did God allow Jesus to be put to death? Couldn't God have found another way to take away our sins and give us salvation?
More than 2,000 years ago, Roman authorities condemned Jesus Christ and then executed Him by nailing Him to a cross. ...

MY ANSWER

Did Jesus really rise from the dead on that first Easter? How was it possible? Or is the Easter story only a nice myth - just a symbol of the hope we all have for life after death, as one friend of mine says?
Jesus Christ was a real man who really suffered and died - and on that first Easter He really rose from the tomb.

DECISION MAGAZINE

The Shadow of the Cross
Take time to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

DECISION MAGAZINE

"Mr. Nice" and the Death of Jesus
Consider the puzzling problem of "Mr. Nice" the pleasant, thoughtful, helpful, generous non-Christian.

DECISION MAGAZINE

He Is Not Here: He Is Risen
The truth of Easter can transform our lives.

DECISION MAGAZINE

The Point of ‘The Passion’
Whatever your perspective, if you watch Mel Gibson's new movie, "The Passion of the Christ," you will never look at the cross the same way again.

DECISION MAGAZINE

When People Ask You ...
Ross Rhoads answers questions that you might hear from friends who have seen "The Passion of the Christ."