John 20

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years. They saw the evidence that what Jesus said was true. They asked questions. They listened. They watched. Up to and including the crucification their belief was still in progress. Then He died.

That Sunday they heard the tomb was empty. Rather than simply taking someone’s word for it, Peter and John ran to the tomb to see it for themselves. The tomb was empty! They walked inside and looked around. They knew for certain the body of Jesus was not in that tomb.

But what did it mean?

They went back to their friends and discussed it among themselves. So they were together when Jesus appeared to them alive and well. It was then their belief turned into cement. A personal encounter with the risen Savior changed everything. They were able to hold on to the truth for the rest of their lives, based on what they had seen, and heard, and believed.

People don’t often take the time to question, or listen, or watch for evidence these days before they believe something. They base their beliefs on what is posted on social media and on news outlets with an agenda. They believe what they are told to believe without giving it much thought.

Case in point: the Democratic party. Yes, I am going political here the day before this important election. It concerns me the Democrats are simply voting for the person they are told to vote for.

They willingly gave up their constitutional right to choose a candidate through debates, and campaigns, and a primary vote. They didn’t ask questions, didn’t listen to the meaningless rhetoric of the candidate forced on them, and they refuse to observe the tangible evidence that she is a threat to freedom. Most Democrats can’t tell you what she stands for, what her accomplishments are, or what issues she supports that align with their own informed convictions.

But they will vote for her because they are told to hate her opponent.

Now, before you accuse me of the same, let me just say I know Trump can be a jerk. I know he talks like an adolescent sometimes. I know he’s not a poster child for morality. But I have done my research and can tell you his stand on abortion lines up more closely with mine, his stand on illegal immigration and open borders, his stand on energy independence, taxes, importing/exporting, and peace through strength line up more closely with mine. And his position on religious freedom, the constitution of the US, and free speech line up with my own beliefs much more closely than the Democrat candidate’s.

But it’s not just in the political arena where people don’t ask questions, listen, or watch. The Church is full of lazy, gullible, mindless people who believe what they are told to believe. They let the preacher read the Bible for them. They let the songs dictate their worship. They close their eyes to the evidence of false teaching and simply believe what they are told to believe.

You and I might believe differently on some things. But unless our beliefs are based on our own research, asking questions, listening with the intent to learn, and taking time to look at the evidence, what we believe is meaningless. Maybe even dangerous.

The disciples spent their whole lives sharing what they knew to be true because they had done the research. They spent time with Jesus, listening, questioning, observing. They knew that what they believed as a result of the years of research was the TRUTH.

So what do you believe? What do you believe about this country and democracy? What do you believe about the Church – your church? What do you believe about life, eternity, sin, grace? And why do you believe what you believe?

What do you believe as a result of your personal time spent asking questions, listening, and watching. What do you believe as a result of your personal encounter with the risen Savior?

Why do you believe it?