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Luke 9:34-36, 2 Peter 1:16-18

Give more attention to Jesus!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 9, 2020

The writer of Hebrews has argued frequently how Jesus should be the focus of our attention. Going back now over a couple passages in the Gospels, this theme becomes even more apparent. At the conclusion of the transfiguration in Luke chapter 9, after Peter speaks up about making some tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, a cloud envelopes them and then in Luke 9:34-35, Peter is rebuked for trying to do something for God and is told to pay attention to Jesus. As Peter was speaking about tents, “…a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!’” I found it interesting that the final verse in Luke on the transfiguration says, “And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.” How unusual for Peter to “keep silent” at all. But the rebuke of speaking when he didn’t know what he was saying must have sunk in a little. Later of course, we see him shooting his mouth off again but for now he “kept silent.”

Yet Peter never forgot this incident in his life and he didn’t keep silent for very long. As Peter and the rest of the apostles went about witnessing to the truth of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead as mentioned in all of Peter’s early sermons, they often encountered opposition and were accused of making up stories. You must admit, the thought of the resurrection from the dead sounds like a made-up story. Peter had an answer to that as we read in 2 Peter 1:16-18, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”

Near death stories find their way into the news and tabloids often. Why? I think because people long for some news from the other side. Not long ago a young pastor’s son told the story about Jesus in his near-death experience and they produced a book named “Heaven is for Real.” It became extremely popular both in and out of the Christian circles. Whether they believed him or not, everyone wanted to hear what he had to say. But when we have Jesus’ confirmed death, burial and resurrection, why aren’t we giving Him our full attention? Shouldn’t we focus on the one who actually died and came back rather than one who almost died? I’ve never truly appreciated the “Red Letter” New Testaments, but I’m becoming more and more interested the older I get. Shouldn’t we give more attention to Jesus?

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Luke 9:33, Hebrews 1:1, Malachi 4:5, Matthew 11:13-14

Jesus is Greater than Elijah!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 9, 2020

There’s no question about the superiority of Jesus as far as the author of the book of Hebrews is concerned. He asserts the importance of Jesus over all the characters and rituals of the Old Testament repeatedly. At the transfiguration, Jesus appeared in all his radiant glory along with the personages of Moses and Elijah. I pointed out previously how Jesus out shined Moses and how the author of Hebrews said that Jesus was worthy of “much more” glory than Moses. Even Moses himself was aware of Jesus’ superiority in his prophecy about the “better” prophet, Jesus, would come and be God’s mouthpiece to them. Peter seems to have missed the obvious message from the appearance of Jesus with Moses and Elijah because in Luke 9:33, “Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah’ – not knowing what he said.”

I suspect that part of what Peter “did not know” was that the purpose of the appearance of Jesus with Moses and Elijah was intentionally designed to highlight the superiority of Jesus over the Law (Moses) and over the Prophets (Elijah). We’ve already talked about the obvious superiority of Jesus over Moses but what about the Prophet Elijah? The Old Testament Prophets brought God’s message to the people. Hebrews 1:1 teaches us that God used to speak to us through his Prophets in various ways. The various ways included signs and wonders. Elijah and Elisha were big at performing both. It continues “but in these days God speaks to us through His Son.” The Old Testament ends with a final word from the Prophets from God. In Malachi 4:5, Malachi speaks for God who says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” He spoke from God! But who was this new Elijah?

In Matthew 11:13-14 Jesus explains the identify of John the Baptist. He says, “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.” An interesting study is the similarities between Elijah and John the Baptist. I’ve argued that John patterned his life after Elijah. They ate the same wild foods. They lived in the wilderness. The dressed the same. They both contended with immorality in the land. There are many other similarities as well but the point is this new Elijah figure, John the Baptist, knew Jesus was the most important one. When the people asked John if he was the Messiah, John replied, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” Moses was the prophet who heard God on behalf of the people. Elijah was the prophet that spoke for God to the people, but Jesus, the living Word of God, did both. God tells Moses in Deuteronomy 15:18, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” He then adds a warning in verse 19, “And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.” We better listen to Jesus because he’s greater than the Law giver himself and the prophet Elijah who represents all the prophets.

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Luke 9:29-30, Mark 9:3, Matthew 17:2

Jesus is Greater than Moses!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 9, 2020

As we looked through the book of Hebrews, it became radically clear that the central message of the Bible is Jesus and His superiority over all the religious symbols of Judaism and all  religions for that matter. That book begins with extolling the superiority of Jesus over the Angels, the Prophets, Abraham, Moses, the Aaronic Priesthood, the Sanctuary, and all of its sacrifices. The superiority of Christ is the basis upon which the writer of the book of Hebrews encourages his readers to “pay close attention” to Jesus. The idea of the superiority of Jesus is flushed out in nearly ever passage of the Bible and as we study the sayings of Jesus over the spring and summer, we want to discover some of them. Today I want to go back to Luke Chapter 9 and take a look at the Transfiguration. This passage also makes it clear that Jesus is greater and better than other religious figures. Luke 9:29-30 says, “And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah.”

Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain and when they awoke from their nap they saw Jesus in all His glory speaking to Moses and Elijah. Mark tells us that “…his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9:3). Matthew tells us “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light” (Matthew 17:2). We don’t know how the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah but they obviously did. We might glean from that how none of our personal identities will ever be lost and that we’ll be recognized by everyone in heaven. But that’s beside the point. The point seems obvious to me: Jesus is superior to the Law and the Prophets.

Of the three persons in that scene, only Jesus shone with God’s glory. Moses, the lawgiver, had once had a shiny face when he left the presence of God on Mount Sinai but if he had that now it would have only been the reflection of the glorious light of the one that stood with him. Moses didn’t shine in Jesus’ presence, but Jesus shined in Moses presence. We think that Joshua wrote the last part of the book of Deuteronomy because it speaks of Moses in the third person implying someone other than Moses wrote it. In Deuteronomy 34:10 we read about Moses, “And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” But Jesus is greater than Moses and the writer of Hebrews confirmed this very thing in Hebrews 3:3, “For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses.” Where should our eyes be as we walk along the trail of life? But Moses himself was aware of this when the children of Israel at Mount Sinai were too afraid to hear God speak, Moses took the mediatorial role and listened to God for them. But he said to them in Deuteronomy 18:15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers – it is to him you shall listen.” Where should our ears be tuned?

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Hebrews 13:25, John 4:10

Jesus is the Grace of God!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 3, 2020

The Bible teaches that all believers are “saints.” Numerous times, in the New Testament especially, all believers are referred to as “saints.” The basis of that title is not some miraculous deeds I’ve performed in my life but on one simple truth. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and has purchased for me a place in His kingdom that he offers as a free gift that I can receive by grace through faith. It’s all of grace. It cannot be earned or deserved because that work has been done for us. As any free gift, it can only be received. Faith is the channel through which we accept it. Actually, the word “grace” means free gift and is translated accordingly several times. In John 4:10, he tells us that “Jesus said, ‘If you only knew the free gift of God and who it is that is asking you for water, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’” Paul records this truth several times in Romans. The most famous of those verses is 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Peter calls it a free gift in Acts 10:20. John begins to close the final book of the Bible, Revelation, with 22:17. He says, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who hears this say, ‘Come!’ Let whoever is thirsty come; whoever wishes may have the water of life as a free gift.”

The author of Hebrews closes his book with the shortest verse, sentence in the book. Hebrews 13:25 says, “Grace be with all of you.” According to the handbook for translators, “May God’s grace be with you all may be rendered as ‘May God be good to you all.’ Or, as in the form of a prayer, ‘I pray that God may be good to you all,’ or ‘… show you his loving kindness,’ or ‘… demonstrate to you his love and kindness.’”[1] Saving faith involves believing in three things about God. It’s not just believing that God exists. Satan does that and he’s not saved! To repeat myself again because if the significance of this issue, first, one must believe in a good God. He has our best interest foremost in mind even when it doesn’t look like it. Second, God sent His only Son to die for our sins and through our faith in Jesus, they are all removed as far as the east is from the west. They are not covered over as they were in the Old Testament, but completely forgiven. Finally, God has something great in store for us in the Kingdom to come. These three convictions or persuasions make up the definition of saving faith.

David Allen summarizes the closing blessing for us. He explains “To each and every reader/hearer of this sermon, our author covers them with the blessing of ‘grace,’ that pregnant New Testament word that encapsulates all that God has done for us through Christ in bringing about our salvation.”[2]

[1] Paul Ellingworth and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on the Letter to the Hebrews, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1994), 339.

[2] David L. Allen, Hebrews, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010), 632.

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Hebrews 13:24

Saints believe in Jesus

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 3, 2020

In the closing greetings of the book or letter to the Hebrews, the writer mentions Italy.  Hebrew 13:24 says, “Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.” The mention of “Italy” must have something to do with Rome because that’s the center of Paul’s ministry in that country. Paul was also involved with Timothy in Italy as well. Kistemaker says, “Timothy had been in Rome during Paul’s first imprisonment (Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Philem. 1). From Rome Paul wrote the so-called prison Epistles (Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians). During Paul’s second imprisonment at Rome, he urged Timothy to come to him quickly (2 Tim. 4:9).”[1]

The most important phrase in these greetings however is the title that the author gives to those believers he is writing to. He calls them “saints.” Carter rightly observes that “Saints is a general term used here for Christian believers.”[2] Speaking about the reference to all believers as “saints,” Utley says “One must note the unfortunate use of this term by the Roman Catholic church to designate special Christians. All believers are called ‘saints’ in the NT! It is our position in Christ that is being emphasized.”[3] I grew up thinking that most saints were plaster statues in the church representing only the “holiest” of believers. But Evans and Coder have it right. They say, “The very moment a man believes in Christ he is sanctified, that is, in this first sense: he is separated from sin and separated unto God. For this reason, all through the New Testament believers are called saints (1 Cor. 1:2, R. V.; Rom. 1:7, R. V.). If a man is not a saint, he is not a Christian; if he is a Christian he is a saint. In some quarters people are canonized after they are dead; the New Testament canonizes believers while they are alive.”[4]

In the Navy, I was “Chief Larsen.” My mail still refers to me with that title. I’ve been called “Pastor Larsen” or “Pastor Chuck” for about 40 years now on the basis of a position I filled in a church. Others in my position and those in denominational circles have called me “Reverend Larsen” based on an ordination process I endured. I still get mail addressed to me that way. My students at Grace University called me “Doctor Larsen” based on a degree I have earned. All of those titles are just pieces of paper on the wall and are based on some earthly achievement. They mean nothing to God. The only title that matters is the one that God freely gives to you and me based solely on the work and merit of someone else! In Jesus, I’m “Saint Chuck.” That’s the only title that will matter in the end and it’s offered to everyone by God’s grace through faith alone.

[1] Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, Exposition of Hebrews, vol. 15, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 435.

[2] Charles W. Carter, “The Epistle to the Hebrews ,” in Hebrews-Revelation, vol. 6, The Wesleyan Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1966), 184.

[3] Robert James Utley, Luke the Historian: The Book of Acts, vol. Volume 3B, Study Guide Commentary Series (Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International, 2003), 128–129.

[4] William Evans and S. Maxwell Coder, The Great Doctrines of the Bible, Enl. ed. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1974), 166.

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Hebrews 13:23

Hebrews is all about Jesus!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 3, 2020

Again, before closing his letter, the writer of Hebrews informs them of his desire and intentions of coming to them soon. In Hebrews 13:23 he says, “You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon.” Gromacki’s comments are, “The author then informed the readers that Timothy had been ‘set at liberty’ (apolelumenon). No epistle records an imprisonment for Timothy, but he could have been placed in jail or under house arrest after he received his two epistles from Paul.”[1]

Some argue that this wraps up the discussion on who was the author of the book of Hebrews. This verse does sound like something that Paul would say because he and Timothy were co-workers on many journeys. But we can’t be sure. I agree with Carter who says, “The simple use of the name Timothy suggests someone well known to the members. Although this name was relatively common in antiquity, the Timothy who is consistently mentioned in early Christian sources was Paul’s ‘brother’ in the faith, his co-worker (Rom. 16:21), companion of the apostle in his missionary work, a trusted delegate who was associated with Paul in the writing of six of his letters. Timothy received two letters from Paul, one as his delegate in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:1–3) and one to encourage him when Paul was in prison (2 Tim. 1:1–2, 8). The mention of Timothy here as our brother suggests that he was well known to members of the community. The familiarity with which the author speaks of Timothy may suggest that he was linked to the Pauline circle, but of this we have no certainty (see the Introduction, 4–9).”[2]

Many will argue that this proves that Paul is the author of this epistle, but we still can’t be certain. Guthrie says, “In any case, Timothy is a companion of the author and is known to this church. The author expects him to arrive soon and anticipates that they will travel together to see the recipients of Hebrews.”[3] But there is a problem with the way Timothy is mentioned in this verse. Allen explains it. Concerning Timothy, He writes, “He is described as ‘our brother.’ In every Pauline reference to Timothy where he is referred to as ‘brother,’ Paul places the name ‘Timothy’ first followed by the articular noun. Here, however, the author places the noun ‘brother’ first, followed by ‘Timothy.’ This is further evidence of the overall dissimilarity of this epistle with Pauline style even in a verse that sounds very Pauline.”[4] The authorship of this letter has remained a subject of debate but has remained steady throughout history is that subject of the letter is Jesus and His superiority to religion. The book of Hebrews is all about Jesus!

[1] Robert Gromacki, Stand Bold in Grace: An Exposition of Hebrews, The Gromacki Expository Series (The Woodlands, TX: Kress Christian Publications, 2002), 226.

[2] Peter T. O’Brien, The Letter to the Hebrews, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), 539.

[3] George Guthrie, Hebrews, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998), 443.

[4] David L. Allen, Hebrews, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010), 630.

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Hebrews 3:22, John 21:25

Hold Fast to Jesus!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 3, 2020

The letter, or possibly a sermon, to the Hebrews seems like one of the longer ones in the Bible. It certainly is one of the most difficult. But when it’s seen as the dissertation about the superiority of Jesus over the religious rituals and rules of the world, it comes together in one solid message. Jesus saves! Religion enslaves. Jesus sets free! Religious people lay burdens that become too heavy for anyone to carry. Jesus gives us rest for our souls for he lifts those burdens from our backs and hearts! He gives us rest for our souls. Nothing else can do that. Before the author of Hebrews wraps up his writing with greetings and a closing blessing he gives one final appeal. Hebrews 13:22 says, “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.”

Many commentators make remarks about how “briefly” in this verse literally means “with few words.” Brooks asks an interesting question. He writes, “The word ‘briefly’ (literally, ‘through few words’) has come in for some comment down the days, not least along the lines of if Hebrews is to be considered brief, what might an extended version have been like?”[1] I think I can answer that. I’ve said earlier that the writer of Hebrews does for us what Jesus himself did for the two disciples that he walked with on the road to Emmaus. He explained to them how the Old Testament, the Law, the Prophets and the writings were all about himself. Hebrews expands on that for us but leaves the majority of the Old Testament up to us to study and relate to the person and work of the promised deliverer, first promised in Genesis 3:15. It’s all looking forward to Jesus and it all finds its fulfillment in Him. There’s a lifetime of research left open for us to dive into but even then we’ll not be able to write enough books to contain everything thing there is to say about the wonders and glory of Jesus. In John’s Gospel, 21:25, he says, “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

The writer considers his letter a word of “exhortation.” He is exhorting them throughout the 13 chapters of Hebrews to hold on to the precious good news of Jesus. Let go of the religion that so enslaves us and grab on to the salvation offered by God’s grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Brooks is clear concerning the “exhortation” our author is delivering. He writes about the author, “He desires to exhort the recipients—to exhort them to hold fast to Jesus, to cleave to the gospel, to endure to the end, and not to step back in time into the old regulations, sacrifices and ways, not to commit apostasy.”[2]

[1] Richard Brooks, The Name High over All: A Commentary on Hebrews, Welwyn Commentary Series (Welwyn Garden City, UK: EP, 2016), 454.

[2] Richard Brooks, The Name High over All: A Commentary on Hebrews, Welwyn Commentary Series (Welwyn Garden City, UK: EP, 2016), 455.

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Hebrews 13:20-21

Jesus really is Better!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 3, 2020

The argument that Paul is the author of this letter might be supported by the final benediction of the writer. It sounds very much like Paul’s closings to his other letters. The author begins to wrap up his letter in Hebrews 13:20-21 saying, “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

These two verses summarize much of what has been said throughout the letter. We don’t do God’s will; He does His will through us. It’s our faith and trust in the three elements of the good news that changes lives. First, we believe in the goodness of God. He’s a loving and caring God even when it doesn’t look like it. Second, he has forgiven our sins through our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross proven by His resurrection from the dead. Finally, we trust that He has a great future for us that transcends our trek through this valley of the shadow of death. Faith equips us with all good things that we might do the will of God through the power He gives us through the indwelling of His Spirit. Only faith pleases God! This ensures that it’s Jesus who gets all the glory. That’s the end goal of our writer’s assertions about the superiority of Jesus over all religious expressions.

Again, Kistemaker says, “Two major themes dominate the epistle: the high-priestly work of Christ, summarized in the expression blood, and the covenant that is eternal. In this verse, once again and for the last time these themes are highlighted. God’s covenant with his people will remain forever. That covenant has been sealed with Christ’s blood which was shed once for all (9:26; 10:10).[1] Lea’s concluding comments on the book of Hebrews are right on. He says, “The author of Hebrews points us to the superiority of Jesus Christ. He is superior to the prophets (1:1–3), superior to the angels (1:4–2:18), and to Moses (3:1–4:13). He provides a superior priesthood on the basis of a superior covenant (4:14–10:31). Not only is Jesus superior to the foundational aspects of Judaism, but He is also superior to any aspect of contemporary religion. This means that Jesus is not just one good option among many ways of drawing near to God; He is the only way. Because of the superiority of Jesus we must not neglect such a great salvation that He has provided with His sacrificial death (2:3; 10:1–18).”[2]

[1] Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, Exposition of Hebrews, vol. 15, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 430–431.

[2] Thomas D. Lea, “The General Letters,” in Holman Concise Bible Commentary, ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 627.

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