“If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31 ESV).
This was Abraham’s response to the rich man who while in torment in Hades begged for Lazarus to return to warn his brothers of the reality of heaven and hell. This dialogue was the conclusion to a story that Jesus told to illustrate the way people would refuse to believe in Him even after His resurrection.
The intellectual pride of the skeptic is not easily overcome. They may ask for more evidence, but refuse to be persuaded having heard it. It’s not for lack of evidence. It’s that they will not be “convinced.” Their resistance to the gospel is not so much intellectual as it is willful.
Believing in the resurrection of Jesus involves not only intellectual assent, but a submission of the will, so that we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead (See Romans 10:9). Because if Jesus is risen, then He is indeed Lord. It is that implication that human pride resists.
I have sometimes asked the skeptic, “If I could answer all your questions, would you believe?” The usual answer? “No.”
When witnessing to the one who always wants more evidence, pray that God would soften their prideful hearts, so that believing is possible.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe in the resurrected Jesus. By Your grace, You have given us the faith to believe. Thank You. Give us the wisdom of the Spirit to persuade others. And for those who refuse to believe, open their eyes that they might see and break their willful hearts that they might believe. In Jesus’ name, amen.