Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Luke 24:38
Jesus doesn’t ask questions for no reason. Since he already knows the answers—and so later “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (v. 45)—he must have wanted the disciples to ask themselves these questions. So why is it that they, and we, should be “troubled” by one rising from the dead? And why do questions arise instead of faith?
When I ask myself the first question, I realize I find death, as difficult as it is, at least has a terrible finality about it. Rising from the dead means there is more to come, a more that I know nothing about. That’s where faith should come to the rescue.
Too often, though, worries and fears bubble up in my heart, not faith and trust in God. How can there be life after death? What is it like? Can I be sure of heaven?
I hope and pray that Jesus will open my mind to the Scripture so that troubling questions can be replaced by firm faith.
Mark Neilsen
Originally published April 22, 2012
