Sharing the resurrection hope of Christ

Your life and mine were forever transformed by the empty tomb—and the life-changing forgiveness and freedom of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

As believers, we know Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and rose again to secure our eternity in heaven. But many people around us have false ideas about Jesus. They say He’s just a moral teacher like Buddha or Confucius.

The fact is, false ideas about Jesus can have eternal consequences. 

In these weeks leading up to Easter, many people—including your unbelieving friends and family—will be open to talking about who Jesus is. I want to equip you to use every opportunity God gives you this Easter season to explain the lifesaving truth about Jesus. As you talk to your friends and family members about Jesus, you can share three ways He is different from every other teacher or religious leader:

1. Jesus is different because of His unique claims.

Other religious leaders have claimed to be divinely inspired. But Jesus made several unique claims that no one before or since Him has made:

Jesus claimed to be God. Many religious leaders attempted to point people to God, but none of them claimed to be God. In John 10:30, Jesus declared, “I and the Father are one.” And when the high priest asked Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am” (Mark 14:61–62). Jesus claimed to be much more than a moral teacher; Jesus repeatedly claimed to be God Himself. 

Jesus claimed to forgive sins. No other religious leader ever claimed the ability to forgive people’s sins. Yet in Mark 2:5, Jesus said to a paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven.” The religious leaders said, “He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” (v. 7). So Jesus proved He had the power to forgive by healing the man.

Jesus claimed to conquer death. No other religious leader said they would physically rise from the dead. Only Jesus claimed He would conquer death and then did so! 

Because Jesus conquered death, those of us who believe in Him will as well.

2. Jesus is different because of His unique teachings.

Other religious leaders teach there are multiple paths to God. Jesus taught that He is the exclusive way to heaven. In John 5:24, He said, “He who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment.”

This is a radical truth many people don’t understand. They think Christians who say Jesus is the only way to heaven are being bigoted or intolerant. That’s why it’s important to explain to them that Jesus Himself said He’s the only way to God.

3. Jesus is different because of His unique solution.

Other religious leaders acknowledge that humans have a problem. But they say the solution begins with you and me—if we meditate, we can rid ourselves of selfishness, or if we do enough good works, we can earn forgiveness.

Only Jesus said the solution isn’t anything we can do; it’s what God has already done: He sent His Son, Jesus, to suffer the penalty we deserve for our sins. Jesus offers a unique solution to our dilemma—God’s grace.

What a wonderful truth you can share this Easter with friends and loved ones who are curious about Jesus or searching for answers in life!

If someone you know is looking for enlightenment, point them to Jesus, who said, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12).

If they’re looking for forgiveness, point them to Jesus, who said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

And if they’re looking for the way to heaven, point them to Jesus, who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). 

May God bless you as we celebrate the cross in this season of hope! And may we, together, faithfully proclaim the resurrection power of Christ to a world in need.

Sharing the Truth of God’s Word,

Dr. Robert Jeffress