My Lunch With Roman

“I don’t believe there is a God. We’re all here by accident,” Roman said as we sat in the restaurant discussing evolution. I replied, “You are not an accident, Roman, and you could never convince me God is not real. I know Him personally.” Surprisingly, he responded, “I can appreciate experience.”

Besides knowing God personally, there are so many reasons we can be confident Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world.

Obviously, there are hundreds of messianic prophecies Christ fulfilled. This alone should be proof that He was who He said He was. Equally convincing are three seemingly impossible events God orchestrated to occur during Passion week.

First – it was no coincidence Christ was crucified during the very week the Jews were slaying Passover lambs to remember God’s requirement of sacrificial blood. “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians 5:7

Second – what were the odds Jesus would be buried during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the exact time Jews remove all the leaven (yeast) from their houses? Leaven symbolizes sin in the Bible. “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Lastly – God planned that Jesus would rise from the dead while the Jews were celebrating the Feast of Firstfruits. The apostle Paul points out that “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:20

Isn’t this brilliant? God timed Christ’s death, burial and resurrection around the Passover feasts so we could connect the dots! God meant Passover to be a clue of what was to happen 1300 years later at Calvary.

As important as the Jewish Passover is, Christ’s death and resurrection brought the ultimate exodus from slavery. The Jews escaped Egypt but were still in bondage to sin. But he who the Son sets free is free indeed!

I don’t know what ever happened to Roman, but I think of him on occasion. It was no accident God connected us. Roman told me his mother and sister had recently become Christians. I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually became a believer too! God has always had a special love for Romans!

So Happy Resurrection Day! Jesus is alive! You can bet your life on it!

“Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” 1 Corinthians 5:20.