Occasionally, I allow my nieces to join me when I teach the new members’ Sunday Bible study. One Sunday, while teaching a lesson on why the events of the Easter season matter, I took some time to review a list of foundational things the Bible says about Jesus. I came to the item on the list about Jesus’ crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. I explained that the risen Jesus physically appeared to people, ate meals, and continued to teach His disciples.
At this point, my thirteen-year-old niece’s hand shot up. “Wait, wait, wait a minute, Aunt DeeDee. Now, that’s hard to believe.”
Her proclamation caught me off guard. I know that she knows the Bible stories we discuss at home and study in church. When asked questions about the real meaning of Easter, she gives what sound like biblically literate answers. Why was the resurrection suddenly so hard to believe?
My niece’s reaction to hearing me teach on the resurrection is reminiscent of the disciples’ response. Despite hearing Jesus speak about His mission on earth, the disciples did not fully comprehend it. Seeing the empty tomb and hearing the eyewitness testimony of those to whom Jesus initially appeared did not move some of them to accept the truth and believe.
The change of heart that the disciples needed did not manifest itself until after the risen Savior appeared to them (Mark 16:14). Jesus directly addressed their disbelief and hardness of heart. He taught them and gave them instructions: go into all the world and spread the gospel. Jesus models loving correction and grace in His response to His disciples’ disbelief. He gives hope to those who may have head knowledge of the gospel but still find some parts of the biblical narrative hard to believe in the heart.
If you find yourself struggling to accept some aspects of biblical truth, take your questions, doubts, and disbelief to God. Examine what His Word says is true. Confess the area of disbelief, and humbly pray for God to help you embrace the truth by faith.
Deidre L. Wheaton is the founder of Covenant Words Consulting, LLC, and Assistant Director of the Christian Education Ministry at her church in Jackson, Mississippi. For more than fifteen years, she has used her gift of teaching to help others grow in their knowledge of God. Deidre is passionate about equipping teachers and helping believers engage Scripture for themselves. She creates teacher-training materials, Bible-study curricula, reading plans, and devotions that foster spiritual growth. Whether teaching, writing, or mentoring, her goal remains the same: to point people to Jesus—the author of our faith and the Living Word.