Jesus: Lord of Hope
by Ken Idleman
Eighteen years ago in Chicago, Illinois, Frank Zindler, a primary spokesman for American Atheists Inc., entered into a public debate with William Craig, a Christian with a PhD in theology, in front of over 8,000 people, with scores of radio stations broadcasting the event. By the end it was no contest. Among those who had entered the auditorium that evening as professed atheists, agnostics, or skeptics, an overwhelming 82% concluded that the case for Christianity had been most compelling, and a documented 47 people actually became Christ-followers as a direct result of that debate. By contrast, not one person became an atheist! Find a link below to a recording of the debate on YouTube (2+ hours).
So, what was it about the content of the debate that was so impactful? What did William Craig say that made so many people decide to follow Christ? He simply defended the resurrection using common sense. He helped people see that the only rational conclusion after looking at all the evidence is that Jesus Christ rose from the dead! Jesus is alive! And so, 47 souls embraced the logical implication expressed in a Billy Graham line: “If Jesus rose from the dead, it means that He is who He said He was [Son of God] and the most important business in life is getting to know Him.”
In Luke 24:13 and following, we have the opportunity to overhear a conversation that took place the afternoon of the resurrection event between the risen Lord Jesus and two men whose “faces were downcast” (v 17). And why were their spirits so low? Three days earlier in Jerusalem, Cleopas and his friend had witnessed the illegal trials and crucifixion of Jesus. In their own words, “we had hoped that HE was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (v 21). Can you see it in their downcast faces? Can you hear it in their dejected words? They had lost hope.
Have you been there? Are you living in a place of hopelessness this Easter? It could be a fear of disease or war. It could be an abusive or inattentive spouse. It could be a rebellious son or an unappreciative daughter. It could be the loss of employment or consistently having too much month left at the end of the money. It could be chronic pain or a terminal diagnosis. It could be a divisive spirit in your church or at your school. But, whatever the reason for a loss of hope, Easter is on the calendar every year, year after year, to restore our hope!
As the two walked along in the company of Jesus on the Emmaus Road, and then invited him into their home, hope was renewed! It wasn’t long before Jesus, the stranger, became Jesus their confidant, teacher, friend, and Lord. In a short time, Jesus had won their affection and trust. And I am telling you that anyone who drops his/her guard to walk and talk with Jesus for very long will be captivated by Him. “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us” (v 32)? This sounds to me like a couple of energized disciples to say the least! Holy heartburn – it’s a good thing!
I am amazed at the long list of honest intellectuals who set out to undermine faith in Jesus, and, in the process of spending time in His life and teaching, become Christ-followers. C.S. Lewis, Lew Wallace, and Lee Stroebel come immediately to mind. In a single afternoon and in a single conversation, hope that had been lost was restored! And all the ‘D’ words, disappointment, doubt, disillusionment, discouragement, depression, defeat, despair, and death were all replace by a single ‘L’ word: Lord. He is the Lord of Hope! He is not only the Messiah who is the hope of Israel, but He is the hope of every people, tribe, language, and nation on the planet. Jesus is not just the hope of the two men on the Emmaus Road, but of every person in the whole world!
Link to Zindler-Craig debate at Willow Creek: YouTube
