I am preparing to preach this coming Sunday from James 1:12, which says,
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
Some years ago a number of Bible versions started using the word "happy" to translate the term "blessed". On the surface, this may not seem like a big deal, and it may even appear to be a good move because the words "happy" and "happiness" are so much a part of our contemporary culture. But over the years I have become more and more convinced that it is seriously wrong to translate the word "blessed" as "happy".
First of all, the word "happy" has to do with chance or something that just "happens". Happiness cannot often be planned for, it just happens. Usually when we least expect it and when we are not too focused on ourselves (hint, hint). I know that we Americans have the right to the "pursuit of happiness". But the truth is that while happiness can be pursued, it is rarely caught. On the other hand, blessedness is something that can and should be pursued and it can be had by godly discipline, obedience and determination.
Happiness is hard to come by, but being blessed is something within the reach of everyone everyday who knows the Lord. This is because happiness is pretty much a humanistic, secular concept, while being blessed refers to divine favor. Happiness does not have to involve God, while blessedness always does. But if all this does not convince you, look at Matthew 5:1-11.
As I said, a number of versions insert the word "happy" in this passage, but it just doesn't work under close examination. For instance, verse four says "happy are those who mourn". You cannot be happy and sad at the same time. But you can be blessed and sad at the same time. One can still sense and appreciate God's divine favor even through tears. But to say that one is happy and also sad is something even a child knows doesn't fit together.
The truth is, being blessed is much more closely connected with joy (see Matthew 5:11-12). Joy is a deep conviction that even though everything may be wrong or bad at the moment, ultimately all is well. Only a Christian can truly experience this because it requires belief in a sovereign and loving God to have this conviction. Blessedness comes from doing what is right (see Psalm 1:1-3) and knowing that God's favor rests on us regardless of what is happening at a particular point in time.
The person who perseveres in a trial and continues to trust in God is blessed by God's approval in that moment, and can look forward to the blessing of the "crown of life" in the future (see James 1:12). Happiness is fleeting and often lasts just a few moments. Being blessed is a feeling that can last for an eternity.
Mark Twain used to say that the difference between the right word and one that is close but not quite right is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. Quite a word picture! That is the difference between being happy and being blessed. Which would you prefer? Me too!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Problem with Presumption - Proverbs 13:10
"Through presumption comes nothing but strife, but with those who receive counsel is wisdom."
I recently saw part of an interview by John Piper, the well-known pastor and writer. He interviewed another well-known pastor and writer, Rick Warren. These two men have become friends and I believe have taken some hits from friends and foes alike as a result. John Piper apparently wanted to demonstrate the areas of agreement between them, and clarify the issues of disagreement. By his own admission, Rick Warren thought he and John Piper were far apart on the issue of whether Christ's atonement was limited or unlimited. Shockingly, John Piper laid out his view of the atonement and Rick Warren said, "we are closer than I thought." I was amazed as well, because as John Piper described his view of the atonement there was very little that I would disagree with. He beautifully explained that although Christ's death was for the purpose of saving the elect and that purpose would definitely be fulfilled, he also said that God is reaching out with a "bona fide offer" to the rest of humanity to come to Him through His Son, and that we should not be reticent to share the gospel freely with everyone. That is the Calvinist Unlimited position and that is exactly what I also believe the Bible teaches.
I would never have thought in a million years that John Piper and I would be in agreement about the extent of the atonement, but apparently we are, because God cannot make a "bona fide offer" to the non-elect unless Christ died for them as well. Unless he misspoke or I completely missed something, we are in complete agreement.
This reminded me of a discussion I had not long ago with a young man in my church. He was convinced that he and I also disagreed about Christ's atonement. But when he sat down with me and talked about his conviction...it was the same as mine! A lot of people presume to know what I believe because I am a dispensationalist, but I surprise most of them when they actually dialogue with me. The truth is that there are a number of significant differences among dispensationalists, just as there can be among people who consider themselves Reformed or Arminian.
Now I am not saying that most everyone is really in agreement, and we just have to talk in order to realize it. There are still lots of biblical, practical and theological disputes among God's people that discussion is never going to change. But the truth is that we (including me) don't always verify what others believe, we just presume on certain issues that we are not in agreement. We look at where people went to school or what denomination they belong to, or who they hang and with, and just presume what a particular person believes without actually consulting the individual. I know this won't solve all of our problems with fellow believers, but it would really help if we stop presuming, and just allow people to tell us what they believe and why.
Sometimes we perpetuate disputes because we want to have a problem with fellow believers. But that's not right (see Philippians 2:1-4)! That is a pride issue. Sometimes we hear someone say something or read something he or she wrote, and we just presume from that what that person believes about other matters. This may be because it makes us feel important to be in disagreement with others, especially when the individual is well-known or popular. But when we just presume that we have a difference with others without asking or checking, that is presumption and that will lead to nothing but strife. May God help me, and all of us as believers to do better in this area!
I recently saw part of an interview by John Piper, the well-known pastor and writer. He interviewed another well-known pastor and writer, Rick Warren. These two men have become friends and I believe have taken some hits from friends and foes alike as a result. John Piper apparently wanted to demonstrate the areas of agreement between them, and clarify the issues of disagreement. By his own admission, Rick Warren thought he and John Piper were far apart on the issue of whether Christ's atonement was limited or unlimited. Shockingly, John Piper laid out his view of the atonement and Rick Warren said, "we are closer than I thought." I was amazed as well, because as John Piper described his view of the atonement there was very little that I would disagree with. He beautifully explained that although Christ's death was for the purpose of saving the elect and that purpose would definitely be fulfilled, he also said that God is reaching out with a "bona fide offer" to the rest of humanity to come to Him through His Son, and that we should not be reticent to share the gospel freely with everyone. That is the Calvinist Unlimited position and that is exactly what I also believe the Bible teaches.
I would never have thought in a million years that John Piper and I would be in agreement about the extent of the atonement, but apparently we are, because God cannot make a "bona fide offer" to the non-elect unless Christ died for them as well. Unless he misspoke or I completely missed something, we are in complete agreement.
This reminded me of a discussion I had not long ago with a young man in my church. He was convinced that he and I also disagreed about Christ's atonement. But when he sat down with me and talked about his conviction...it was the same as mine! A lot of people presume to know what I believe because I am a dispensationalist, but I surprise most of them when they actually dialogue with me. The truth is that there are a number of significant differences among dispensationalists, just as there can be among people who consider themselves Reformed or Arminian.
Now I am not saying that most everyone is really in agreement, and we just have to talk in order to realize it. There are still lots of biblical, practical and theological disputes among God's people that discussion is never going to change. But the truth is that we (including me) don't always verify what others believe, we just presume on certain issues that we are not in agreement. We look at where people went to school or what denomination they belong to, or who they hang and with, and just presume what a particular person believes without actually consulting the individual. I know this won't solve all of our problems with fellow believers, but it would really help if we stop presuming, and just allow people to tell us what they believe and why.
Sometimes we perpetuate disputes because we want to have a problem with fellow believers. But that's not right (see Philippians 2:1-4)! That is a pride issue. Sometimes we hear someone say something or read something he or she wrote, and we just presume from that what that person believes about other matters. This may be because it makes us feel important to be in disagreement with others, especially when the individual is well-known or popular. But when we just presume that we have a difference with others without asking or checking, that is presumption and that will lead to nothing but strife. May God help me, and all of us as believers to do better in this area!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Is Heaven For Real? - John 14:2
"In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you..."
It has been a long time, about a month, since I wrote a new post. In one sense, I apologize to those of you who have faithfully come here looking for a fresh commentary from God's Word only to be disappointed. I truly regret that. But in another sense, I am not sorry because the last month has been incredibly busy and difficult. Besides all that, I just simply have not been moved to write about anything. However, this morning I just finished a book I have been trying to read for a couple of months.
It is a book that has been on the New York Times Best-Seller list for some time, but much more important, it is a book about heaven. I love books about heaven, though a good one is rare, and this is a good one in my opinion. Randy Alcorn's book on heaven is still my all-time favorite, but this may be second. Why? Because it is written by a pastor in Nebraska named Todd Burpo (no belching jokes, please) about his son, Colton, who had a near death experience (NDE), and supposedly was transported to heaven during an emergency operation to save his life. I say "supposedly" because not everyone believes that NDEs are real, including a lot of evangelicals, not just pagan skeptics. But having talked with down-to-earth, sensible, normal people who have had them, I do believe in NDEs, as long as what the person experiences is not contrary to Scripture. If it is, then I have to conclude that they were either deceived by Satan or that they failed to remember things accurately.
Having qualified my belief in NDEs, Colton, who was about four at the time of his operation and NDE, tells his father in the first year or so afterward many wonderful and scripturally verifiable things about heaven. A few of them are difficult for me to accept, i.e., that people have wings to fly. But there is little or nothing that I can say for sure is bibically wrong, and there are some things that are absolutely extraordinary. Colton says that he saw Jesus and that He has red "markers" on His hands and feet. Could he be referring to the marks of our Lord's crucifixion, which He still bears (see Revelation 5:6)? Colton also says he met a girl in heaven who claims to be his other sister. It turns out that his mother, Sonja, had a miscarriage. He believes that he met his sister in heaven, but he never knew about his mother's miscarriage. He also met his grandfather, "Pop", who died many years before he was born. Colton identified him not by a picture of him in old age, but in his grandfather's youth. But I'm not doing justice to the book. I recommend that you read it. Even if you don't believe in NDEs, or think that the kid was lying, or assume that the father made all this up to sell a book, you need to read it. It is at the least, very thought-provoking. At the most, it could convince you that, as Colton says, "Heaven is for real."
But the truth is that Jesus already told us that heaven is for real (John 14:2) and He even went so far to tell us that if heaven did not exist, and did not have a "dwelling place" for us, He would have told us and set the record straight. So even if you don't believe Colton Burpo, we really should trust Jesus on the subject of heaven. Who would know better than the Son of God !? But I still recommend that you read, Heaven Is For Real. This little boy's perspective on heaven is priceless!
It has been a long time, about a month, since I wrote a new post. In one sense, I apologize to those of you who have faithfully come here looking for a fresh commentary from God's Word only to be disappointed. I truly regret that. But in another sense, I am not sorry because the last month has been incredibly busy and difficult. Besides all that, I just simply have not been moved to write about anything. However, this morning I just finished a book I have been trying to read for a couple of months.
It is a book that has been on the New York Times Best-Seller list for some time, but much more important, it is a book about heaven. I love books about heaven, though a good one is rare, and this is a good one in my opinion. Randy Alcorn's book on heaven is still my all-time favorite, but this may be second. Why? Because it is written by a pastor in Nebraska named Todd Burpo (no belching jokes, please) about his son, Colton, who had a near death experience (NDE), and supposedly was transported to heaven during an emergency operation to save his life. I say "supposedly" because not everyone believes that NDEs are real, including a lot of evangelicals, not just pagan skeptics. But having talked with down-to-earth, sensible, normal people who have had them, I do believe in NDEs, as long as what the person experiences is not contrary to Scripture. If it is, then I have to conclude that they were either deceived by Satan or that they failed to remember things accurately.
Having qualified my belief in NDEs, Colton, who was about four at the time of his operation and NDE, tells his father in the first year or so afterward many wonderful and scripturally verifiable things about heaven. A few of them are difficult for me to accept, i.e., that people have wings to fly. But there is little or nothing that I can say for sure is bibically wrong, and there are some things that are absolutely extraordinary. Colton says that he saw Jesus and that He has red "markers" on His hands and feet. Could he be referring to the marks of our Lord's crucifixion, which He still bears (see Revelation 5:6)? Colton also says he met a girl in heaven who claims to be his other sister. It turns out that his mother, Sonja, had a miscarriage. He believes that he met his sister in heaven, but he never knew about his mother's miscarriage. He also met his grandfather, "Pop", who died many years before he was born. Colton identified him not by a picture of him in old age, but in his grandfather's youth. But I'm not doing justice to the book. I recommend that you read it. Even if you don't believe in NDEs, or think that the kid was lying, or assume that the father made all this up to sell a book, you need to read it. It is at the least, very thought-provoking. At the most, it could convince you that, as Colton says, "Heaven is for real."
But the truth is that Jesus already told us that heaven is for real (John 14:2) and He even went so far to tell us that if heaven did not exist, and did not have a "dwelling place" for us, He would have told us and set the record straight. So even if you don't believe Colton Burpo, we really should trust Jesus on the subject of heaven. Who would know better than the Son of God !? But I still recommend that you read, Heaven Is For Real. This little boy's perspective on heaven is priceless!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Worship in the Church - I Corinthians 11-14
Not long ago a friend asked me if I thought that I Corinthians chapters 11-14 was the primary passage in the New Testament when it comes to understanding how the church should worship. I said yes. But I didn't have a good chance to explain what I meant by that. I believe that Corinthians 11-14 tells us more than probably any other single passage, but it still is not very much in terms of details and exact directions. The primary purpose for these chapters was to tell the Corinthians the correct way to use spiritual gifts in worship.
True, Paul begins with addressing the issue of head coverings in worship (11:2-16). Paul also confronts the Corinthians about their sinful behavior in regard to the Lord's Supper and the fellowship meal that preceded it (11:17-34). But beginning in chapter twelve, Paul addresses head on the use of spiritual gifts when the church is gathered for worship.
Paul starts in chapter twelve by explaining what some of the gifts are that given by the Holy Spirit (12:1-11), and then he moves to the issue of how the body of Christ is both diversified and unified in regard to spiritual gifts (12:12-31). Paul takes the time in chapter thirteen to explain the supremacy of love in regard to spiritual gifts and their use. Then in chapter fourteen he contrasts prophesy and tongues, and promotes prophesy as much more important and vital to the body of Christ than tongues (14:1-25). In verse twenty-six, Paul goes on to say,
"What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."
At first glance, it seems as if Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to freely participate in the worship service and use their gifts in whatever manner they desire as long as the goal is edification of the body, not themselves. Some Christian leaders today have built a whole worship methodology out of this verse. They teach that the worship service should not have an order or even any leadership except the moving of the Spirit. But as the following verses indicate, that is not the case. From verse twenty-seven to the end of the chapter, Paul lays out very clear guidelines for how people could participate in the worship of the church. Far from people participating freely or at their own inner direction, Paul limits the number who can speak in tongues (14:27-28). He limits the number that can prophesy (14:29-33). He clearly indicates that some are to "pass judgment" on what has been spoken (v.29) He appears to even exclude women from speaking or using the speaking gifts completely (vs. 34-38). But I believe he is only excluding them from participating in or leading the primary teaching time in the worship service (see this post), as he has already implicitly granted that they can prophesy if properly covered (11:5).
The bottom line is that these chapters tell us very, very little about what exactly worship in the church should look like. They tell us much more about what it should not look like. I don't know why God didn't give us a clear example or complete and detailed instructions about New Testament worship. Perhaps it is not all that different from Old Testament worship, without animal sacrifices, of course. More likely, God is giving individual churches the freedom to worship within the biblical principles and guidelines we do have in a number of Scriptures. If He gave us a detailed example of how a particular local church worshipped in the first century, we might follow it too slavishly. I believe that God has not been too specific with worship because He wants us to seek Him, not fall into a single, inflexible worship plan. Whatever the reason, I Corinthians chapters 11-14 don't give us sufficient information to understand and put together a complete biblical plan for worship. For that, we have to look at the whole counsel of God, and that will be another post.
True, Paul begins with addressing the issue of head coverings in worship (11:2-16). Paul also confronts the Corinthians about their sinful behavior in regard to the Lord's Supper and the fellowship meal that preceded it (11:17-34). But beginning in chapter twelve, Paul addresses head on the use of spiritual gifts when the church is gathered for worship.
Paul starts in chapter twelve by explaining what some of the gifts are that given by the Holy Spirit (12:1-11), and then he moves to the issue of how the body of Christ is both diversified and unified in regard to spiritual gifts (12:12-31). Paul takes the time in chapter thirteen to explain the supremacy of love in regard to spiritual gifts and their use. Then in chapter fourteen he contrasts prophesy and tongues, and promotes prophesy as much more important and vital to the body of Christ than tongues (14:1-25). In verse twenty-six, Paul goes on to say,
"What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."
At first glance, it seems as if Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to freely participate in the worship service and use their gifts in whatever manner they desire as long as the goal is edification of the body, not themselves. Some Christian leaders today have built a whole worship methodology out of this verse. They teach that the worship service should not have an order or even any leadership except the moving of the Spirit. But as the following verses indicate, that is not the case. From verse twenty-seven to the end of the chapter, Paul lays out very clear guidelines for how people could participate in the worship of the church. Far from people participating freely or at their own inner direction, Paul limits the number who can speak in tongues (14:27-28). He limits the number that can prophesy (14:29-33). He clearly indicates that some are to "pass judgment" on what has been spoken (v.29) He appears to even exclude women from speaking or using the speaking gifts completely (vs. 34-38). But I believe he is only excluding them from participating in or leading the primary teaching time in the worship service (see this post), as he has already implicitly granted that they can prophesy if properly covered (11:5).
The bottom line is that these chapters tell us very, very little about what exactly worship in the church should look like. They tell us much more about what it should not look like. I don't know why God didn't give us a clear example or complete and detailed instructions about New Testament worship. Perhaps it is not all that different from Old Testament worship, without animal sacrifices, of course. More likely, God is giving individual churches the freedom to worship within the biblical principles and guidelines we do have in a number of Scriptures. If He gave us a detailed example of how a particular local church worshipped in the first century, we might follow it too slavishly. I believe that God has not been too specific with worship because He wants us to seek Him, not fall into a single, inflexible worship plan. Whatever the reason, I Corinthians chapters 11-14 don't give us sufficient information to understand and put together a complete biblical plan for worship. For that, we have to look at the whole counsel of God, and that will be another post.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Neither Male or Female in Christ - Galatians 3:28
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
Galatians 3:28 has been called the "Magna Carta" of Christianity. It supposedly sets everyone free to be whatever they believe the Lord wants them to be, and eliminates all gender-based distinctions and roles in the body of Christ. But as incredibly empowering and liberating as this verse is, the context indicates something different from what a lot of Christian pastors, authors and theologians are saying about it these days.
In the verses that immediately precede it, Paul says that we are "...all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (v. 26). Now as politically incorrect as it is today, Paul is saying that all of us who are trusting in Christ as the One who died in our place are "sons of God". The point is that all of us, men and women alike, have a high and privileged position in Christ, and in fact, God sees us not as sinners anymore, but as those who are "clothed...with Christ" (v. 27). He now sees Christ when He looks at us. We are clothed in His righteousness. Is that awesome or what?
Now in verse twenty-eight, Paul is saying as a result of this, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female. We are all now "one in Christ Jesus". But the word "one" does not technically refer to equality. Rather it is a reference to unity. We are all "one" body of Christ, spiritually-speaking. We are all now Christians and members of the body of Christ without spiritual distinction.
Now there is implicit in this a note of equality. But it is not equality of roles in the home and church that is being proclaimed here. It is rather that men and women are equally important and valuable, spiritually-speaking, in Christ. God does not value the salvation of a man over a woman, and in Christ, a man is not more important or valuable than a woman. Now men and women are both "...heirs according to promise" (v. 29) (see also I Peter 3:7).
The spiritual reality now is that women are "coheirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). This does empower them to serve in ways that were denied them under the Law, and they now must be treated with same respect and dignity as men in the church and home. But this verse cannot be used as a proof text that women are free in Christ to do or be whatever they want. This is not an issue being addressed here. The issues are salvation, spiritual unity and our spiritual position in Christ. The practical implications of all this for women have to be worked out from other passages in the New Testament, and it is not within the scope of this post to discuss these. Suffice it to say that the New Testament passages regarding the roles of men and women have been seriously misinterpreted by both traditionalists and feminists, in my opinion. But as I said, that is another post (or posts).
My point here is that as wonderful and liberating as Galatians 3:28 truly is, it simply does not teach what many today says it does. But what is does say was revolutionary in Paul's day, and still is in ours. We as Christians are still struggling to live up to the incredible ideal that it proclaims. May God help us to make greater progress for His glory, and the benefit of Christian men and women everywhere!
Galatians 3:28 has been called the "Magna Carta" of Christianity. It supposedly sets everyone free to be whatever they believe the Lord wants them to be, and eliminates all gender-based distinctions and roles in the body of Christ. But as incredibly empowering and liberating as this verse is, the context indicates something different from what a lot of Christian pastors, authors and theologians are saying about it these days.
In the verses that immediately precede it, Paul says that we are "...all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (v. 26). Now as politically incorrect as it is today, Paul is saying that all of us who are trusting in Christ as the One who died in our place are "sons of God". The point is that all of us, men and women alike, have a high and privileged position in Christ, and in fact, God sees us not as sinners anymore, but as those who are "clothed...with Christ" (v. 27). He now sees Christ when He looks at us. We are clothed in His righteousness. Is that awesome or what?
Now in verse twenty-eight, Paul is saying as a result of this, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female. We are all now "one in Christ Jesus". But the word "one" does not technically refer to equality. Rather it is a reference to unity. We are all "one" body of Christ, spiritually-speaking. We are all now Christians and members of the body of Christ without spiritual distinction.
Now there is implicit in this a note of equality. But it is not equality of roles in the home and church that is being proclaimed here. It is rather that men and women are equally important and valuable, spiritually-speaking, in Christ. God does not value the salvation of a man over a woman, and in Christ, a man is not more important or valuable than a woman. Now men and women are both "...heirs according to promise" (v. 29) (see also I Peter 3:7).
The spiritual reality now is that women are "coheirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). This does empower them to serve in ways that were denied them under the Law, and they now must be treated with same respect and dignity as men in the church and home. But this verse cannot be used as a proof text that women are free in Christ to do or be whatever they want. This is not an issue being addressed here. The issues are salvation, spiritual unity and our spiritual position in Christ. The practical implications of all this for women have to be worked out from other passages in the New Testament, and it is not within the scope of this post to discuss these. Suffice it to say that the New Testament passages regarding the roles of men and women have been seriously misinterpreted by both traditionalists and feminists, in my opinion. But as I said, that is another post (or posts).
My point here is that as wonderful and liberating as Galatians 3:28 truly is, it simply does not teach what many today says it does. But what is does say was revolutionary in Paul's day, and still is in ours. We as Christians are still struggling to live up to the incredible ideal that it proclaims. May God help us to make greater progress for His glory, and the benefit of Christian men and women everywhere!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Case For The Resurrection - Matthew 28:6
"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said..." Matthew 28:6
Other religions do not necessarily rise or fall upon a single historical event, but Christianity does. As Paul says to the Corinthians, "...if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless..."(I Corinthians 15:17). So the resurrection is of paramount importance to the Christian faith. It is also one of the key issues that sets it apart from all other major religions. None of the founders of the world's great religions ever claimed to be God, but Jesus did (see Mark 14:61-62), and all the other founders of world religions are dead and buried. Only Jesus claimed He would rise from the dead in three days, and did. Can we prove this? Not in the sense that it can proved so definitively that no human can deny or disbelieve it. But yes, in the sense that it can be proven far beyond reasonable doubt.
In their book, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, Gary Habermas and Michael Licona explain that there are five "minimal facts" about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. "Minimal facts" are based on data that is "...granted by virtually all scholars on the subject even skeptical ones." These five minimal facts are:
1. Jesus' Death by Crucifixion
2. The Disciples' Belief That Jesus Appeared to Them
3. The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the Persecutor
4. The Conversion of James, the Skeptic
5. The Empty Tomb
Habermas and Licona explain that these five minimal facts form a compelling argument for the resurrection that cannot be explained away. That doesn't mean that people don't try, or that people have to believe, but what it means is that our faith in Christ is not a blind or even an unreasonable faith. It is built on a very solid, logical and historical foundation, but it is still faith. It requires a measure of belief beyond the evidence. We still have to step out and say, "I believe in the resurrection", because it is unique in the history of mankind. Nothing like it has ever occurred before or since. This fact can lead a person to either doubt it or embrace it. We have to decide for ourselves. Just in case you were wondering, I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now more than ever. I strongly encourage you to do so as well. No issue is more important in the entire universe. Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Other religions do not necessarily rise or fall upon a single historical event, but Christianity does. As Paul says to the Corinthians, "...if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless..."(I Corinthians 15:17). So the resurrection is of paramount importance to the Christian faith. It is also one of the key issues that sets it apart from all other major religions. None of the founders of the world's great religions ever claimed to be God, but Jesus did (see Mark 14:61-62), and all the other founders of world religions are dead and buried. Only Jesus claimed He would rise from the dead in three days, and did. Can we prove this? Not in the sense that it can proved so definitively that no human can deny or disbelieve it. But yes, in the sense that it can be proven far beyond reasonable doubt.
In their book, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, Gary Habermas and Michael Licona explain that there are five "minimal facts" about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. "Minimal facts" are based on data that is "...granted by virtually all scholars on the subject even skeptical ones." These five minimal facts are:
1. Jesus' Death by Crucifixion
2. The Disciples' Belief That Jesus Appeared to Them
3. The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the Persecutor
4. The Conversion of James, the Skeptic
5. The Empty Tomb
Habermas and Licona explain that these five minimal facts form a compelling argument for the resurrection that cannot be explained away. That doesn't mean that people don't try, or that people have to believe, but what it means is that our faith in Christ is not a blind or even an unreasonable faith. It is built on a very solid, logical and historical foundation, but it is still faith. It requires a measure of belief beyond the evidence. We still have to step out and say, "I believe in the resurrection", because it is unique in the history of mankind. Nothing like it has ever occurred before or since. This fact can lead a person to either doubt it or embrace it. We have to decide for ourselves. Just in case you were wondering, I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now more than ever. I strongly encourage you to do so as well. No issue is more important in the entire universe. Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
It Is Finished - John 19:30
"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished'. With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." John 19:30
As we approach Good Friday, the day when our Lord died for us on the cross, I am reminded of John 19:30. This is the verse that tells us that just before He died, Christ cried out, "It is finished!"
Now a lot of people have pointed out that this cry of victory was Jesus exulting in His finished work. He had accomplished the task that the Father sent Him to do (see John 17:4). He had borne the sins of the world and paid for our forgiveness with the sacrifice of His own body and blood. This is the most important point and we need to remember it often, not just on Good Friday. Having stated the obvious, there are still a few other truths that not everyone realizes (I didn't at first).
First, when the verse says He "...gave up His spirit", we need to recognize that Jesus was not just involuntarily succombing to death. He was actively choosing at that particular moment to die. As Jesus stated earlier in His ministry, no one could take His life away, He would lay it down by His own authority, and He would raise Himself back up by His own authority (see John 10:18). In Matthew 27:50, the literal translation is that He "sent it away", referring to His spirit. Only the Son of God could choose the exact moment His spirit would depart. No mere mortal could do this. When His work was done, Christ chose to die.
The second very interesting truth related to this verse is that Jesus took a drink of "sour wine" offered to Him by a soldier in response to Him saying, "I am thirsty". We know from Matthew 27:45-50, a parallel passage, that this occurred at the ninth hour. The Jewish ninth hour was 3 pm in the afternoon; the time of the afternoon sacrifice in the temple. The point is that when an animal, probably a lamb, was being sacrificed as a temporary covering for sin, the Lamb of God was atoning for the sins of the entire world. No longer would animal sacrifices be necessary. Jesus had paid it all! These sacrifices continued until the temple was destroyed in 70 AD because of the ignorance and rebellion of sinful men. But in truth, the work of redemption was done. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
As we approach Good Friday, the day when our Lord died for us on the cross, I am reminded of John 19:30. This is the verse that tells us that just before He died, Christ cried out, "It is finished!"
Now a lot of people have pointed out that this cry of victory was Jesus exulting in His finished work. He had accomplished the task that the Father sent Him to do (see John 17:4). He had borne the sins of the world and paid for our forgiveness with the sacrifice of His own body and blood. This is the most important point and we need to remember it often, not just on Good Friday. Having stated the obvious, there are still a few other truths that not everyone realizes (I didn't at first).
First, when the verse says He "...gave up His spirit", we need to recognize that Jesus was not just involuntarily succombing to death. He was actively choosing at that particular moment to die. As Jesus stated earlier in His ministry, no one could take His life away, He would lay it down by His own authority, and He would raise Himself back up by His own authority (see John 10:18). In Matthew 27:50, the literal translation is that He "sent it away", referring to His spirit. Only the Son of God could choose the exact moment His spirit would depart. No mere mortal could do this. When His work was done, Christ chose to die.
The second very interesting truth related to this verse is that Jesus took a drink of "sour wine" offered to Him by a soldier in response to Him saying, "I am thirsty". We know from Matthew 27:45-50, a parallel passage, that this occurred at the ninth hour. The Jewish ninth hour was 3 pm in the afternoon; the time of the afternoon sacrifice in the temple. The point is that when an animal, probably a lamb, was being sacrificed as a temporary covering for sin, the Lamb of God was atoning for the sins of the entire world. No longer would animal sacrifices be necessary. Jesus had paid it all! These sacrifices continued until the temple was destroyed in 70 AD because of the ignorance and rebellion of sinful men. But in truth, the work of redemption was done. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
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