“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
(Luke 16:30-31 NIV)
In the story of “The Rich Man and Lazarus,” the rich man lives what many would consider to be a great life here on earth, but upon death, suffers torment and for the first time begins to show concern for others. He pleads with Abraham, “I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment’” (Luke 16:27-28). Abraham then tells the rich man that his brothers could turn to the Scriptures, but the rich man still believes that someone from the dead is more likely to convince his siblings to repent. Abraham then makes a shocking statement. He tells the rich man that if his brothers “do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (v.31).
Jesus has risen from the dead, yet sadly, this amazing truth doesn’t seem to move many to change their sinful lifestyles because like the brothers of the rich man, they have chosen not to hear and obey the Word of God, which testifies about Him. Jesus had the following to say about His critics, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39-40). Interestingly enough it is His opponents who had a hard time believing in His resurrection and made up the story that His disciples stole His body from the tomb (Matthew 28:12-15).
The words God has spoken to us in the Bible are Spirit and life (John 6:63). The risen Christ, the Word made flesh, will make Himself known to those who turn to His Word and allow it to transform their lives.
No evidence-not even a resurrection-will change someone who rejects the Bible.
Rising with the Son 