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Luke 24:39, 1 John 1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:50

The Resurrected Body is Immune!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 9, 2020

It seems that the disciples gathered to discuss the stories of Jesus sightings by the two men on the road to Emmaus as well as the message the women received from the angel at the empty tomb. Peter may have also had his post-resurrection appearance and was putting in his two cents worth in the discussion about the resurrection, when Jesus miraculously appeared in their midst and shut down the argument. After lovingly commending peace to his gathered disciples who might deserve a rebuke, he then assures them that they need not let the “troubles” and cares of life get them down. They need only believe in Him and His resurrection. But these disciples had a purpose to fill in God’s plan. He was going to make them eye witnesses to the fact of his resurrection. So in Luke 24:39 Jesus says, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

In the Preacher’s Commentary we read, “I would suggest that there is far more evidence for believing that Jesus was raised from the dead than for not doing so. First of all, there is no logical reason why any of the principals in the Gospel narrative would steal the body. How the Pharisees, faced with this great spiritual awakening that threatened Judaism, would have loved to produce the corpse and give the lie to the Resurrection rumor. They could not. Surely the soldiers were held accountable for the disappearance of the body they were guarding. You can be certain that leaves were canceled, promotions denied. They may have been imprisoned or killed for their negligence. The soldiers would be extremely eager to produce the body. It’s inconceivable that the disciples might have stolen the body. They were a broken, defeated, demoralized group after the Crucifixion. With the appearance of the risen Christ they were filled with a holy boldness which endured for the rest of their lives. If the Resurrection was a myth, there is no way to explain psychologically the actions of the early Christians – some of whom were crucified or fed to lions as a result of their faith. The evidence is overwhelming that something supernatural occurred.[1]

This group of disciples did indeed become eyewitnesses as God had planned. John tell us “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us” (1 John 1:1-2). The disciples saw with their eyes the resurrected Jesus who proclaimed to be “flesh and bone.” It wasn’t flesh and blood because all human life is in the blood. But some commentators suggest that there is also “death” in the blood because of the transmission of sin from Adam to every following generation. Every drop of Jesus’ blood, the only disease-free blood, was poured out intentionally for our sins on Calvary. 1 Corinthians 15:50 makes it clear that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” An incorruptible body is one of flesh and bone but not blood! As Jesus is the first fruits of the resurrection we too will be like him in being “flesh and bone.” There will be no blood in which COVID-19 or anything else can infect us. I can find peace in that!

[1] Bruce Larson and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Luke, vol. 26, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1983), 354.

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Luke 24:37-38, Psalm 103:13-14, John 14:1

Peace to You in spite of COVID-19

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
April 9, 2020

Jesus doesn’t rebuke his disciples for deserting him when he first appears to them as a group after his resurrection. Instead he expresses his love and forgiveness in three simple words – “Peace to you.” He doesn’t send “guilt” upon them. He doesn’t shame them with what they did, he simply wishes them peace. Psalm 103:13-14 says, “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” The passage I’m looking at now, Luke 24:37-38, informs us that the disciples sure do “fear the Lord.” It says, “But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.” You’ve heard the expression “he looks like he had seen a ghost.” Well these disciples must have truly looked that way because they thought they did see a ghost. Half the translations I looked at used the word “terrified” instead of “frightened.” I suspect it was a pretty profound emotion.

Then in verse 38, Jesus asks them a question. Now we have to see this as a legitimate question. Sometimes we see Jesus’ questions as the kind of questions our parents asked us, or a teacher, or a policeman or our bosses. Jesus once asked his disciples “Why do you call me Lord and not do what I tell you to do?” That’s been seen as an accusation designed to arouse shame so they would try harder. My father asked me questions like that: “Why did you do that? What were you thinking?” But his questions were indeed designed to arouse shame and to guilt me into becoming a better person. That might have worked for a little while but not for long.  I’d argue Jesus never stooped to such tactics. He truly wanted his disciples to think about their true sinfulness so that they’d become more deeply aware of their need for a Savior. Jesus wanted them to come to repentance and then he’d step up as the Savior.

The question in verse 38 is stated this way, “And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?’” He wasn’t trying to shame them or arouse guilt, but to get them to think about “why” they were afraid, why they were troubled and doubted. You see, there was no need to be afraid. Jesus is our Savior and theirs. He did come back from the dead. He did conquer the grave. They did not need to worry or be troubled. He had it all under control. It reminds me of His words to them before the crucifixion. He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1). The resurrection assures us of our eternal destiny and therefore God wants us to be at peace with all of our “troubles” and cares in this life, even COVID-19! He knows our frame and that we are but dust. He understands us and our trials but still says to us “Peace to You.”

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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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