No Fooling . . . Jesus did Rise from the Dead! Maybe you’re one of the people who struggle with believing it. Maybe this crazy kind of miracle is out of your realm of believing and thinking. There are tons of theories about the resurrection . . .

Very sincerely, lots of people have a difficult time with Easter. The one that surprised me most was someone who said to me, "It doesn't matter, it's not important, when you look around at all the philosophies humans have come up with over the centuries, if you want to live a decent life you follow Jesus teaching because his was the best, so why does it matter one way or another?"

I answered that one – after pausing to think for a minute – because that one attitude, I hadn't really come across before, I said, “It matters, because he is still alive, which means you can have a personal relationship with him today”.

I really can't imagine trying to follow his teaching and live his way, without his personal input and help, I couldn't do it. So I know that there are some who maybe believe he was the Son of God, definitely believe he was the greatest philosopher and teacher of all time, and are trying in their own strength, to live the way he taught – which means reading the Bible because you have to know exactly what he taught, but who don't really KNOW him yet. Jesus said, 'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Our gospel reading today is 'doubting Thomas' who felt the way many people today feel. I can't claim to be one of them really, because I am lucky enough to be one of the few who have had a personal encounter with Jesus. I don't believe just on faith – I know!

Jesus wants that personal relationship with us, because God wants a personal relationship with us, and Jesus is the way to the Father. God loves us – you want to be with those you love, especially the ones who love you back.