Christmas faith

   It has been a tough year for me.  And in my opinion, it has been a tough year in various manners for my home country, the U.S.A.  I prepare for and anticipate an enjoyable Christmas for one reason: a believer in Jesus can have joy and peace as he or she relies on the love of Jesus.  Thus it does not even mean my Christmas will be filled with fun or romance.  Yet come what may, my Christmas can be filled with the love of Jesus.
   Talking about the joy and peace of Jesus is easy to express but hard to live, yet I take this moment to recall there have been many occasions when I have had joy and peace in the past twenty-seven years of following Jesus in the midst of crummy circumstances, which I believe was solely due to the love of Jesus I knew in my heart.
   My ministry calling has been a unique one, and though I like kids, I was never blessed with my own children.  Yet I have been tremendously blessed to be true friends and like an uncle to the two children of my dear friends who are like family.  When the boy was very young, I frequently took him and his sister on walks.  My little buddy was quick to let go of my hand to examine things I would point out such as bugs or mushrooms.  Yet whenever I would start walking again, he was quick to say, “Hand!”  I would always stretch my hand out to him and he would clasp it.  In following Jesus for over twenty-seven years, I have learned I am never too old to exclaim to Jesus, “Hand!”
   There is a Father in heaven who loves everybody.  God the Father sent his one and only Son, the babe born to a virgin in a manger in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago.  Jesus was Immanuel, which means God with us.  Though a helpless little baby, He was the Christ, and though about thirty-three years later He submitted to being helpless on a cross as He was crucified by Roman soldiers, He was the Christ.  In fact, Jesus died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone.  He was the atoning sacrifice for sins.  Then He was resurrected.  If you believe in Jesus, you will have eternal life in heaven with Him.
Merry Christmas, love, Hunter

(Three friends, a picture taken just under a decade ago.)

500 years ago on October 31, 1517

   In one week from today, 500 years ago on October 31, 1517, a monk named Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on a church door in Wittenberg.  Issues involved were critical, and the result was epic.  Here I simply state the denomination which had dominated in the West had distorted Biblical soteriology teaching to the tragic point of insisting that salvation involves buying forgiveness.  Yet Martin Luther courageously took the stand that the Biblical truth is salvation is a loving gift from God, as Jesus was the sacrifice for the sins of people.

   One Saturday this early fall, I went to the library of my Alma mater Colorado Christian University where there are over fifty volumes of Luther’s writings.  Having only read excerpts from him, I wanted to see what was in the depths of those volumes.  I was surprised how brash and degrading he could be.  It was not what I was expecting.  Yet in what little I read, he was making key Biblical points, convictions which went against the church authority.

   Regarding gaining a good historical overview of Luther’s ministry, I recommend chapter seven of the book Turning Points, by Mark Noll.(1)  This was one of three textbooks assigned for my "History of Christianity" class with the superb Dr. Megan DeVore at CCU.  Though I have some disagreements with Dr. Noll in the first chapter, his chapter on Luther gives a wonderful overview, and he is gracious in his treatment.

   I remain in utter disagreement with numerous Roman Catholic doctrines even in this age in the wake of their Second Vatican Council.  Granted I am also in disagreement with certain doctrines of certain Protestant groups, such as certain doctrines of “TULIP Calvinist” theology.  Yet just this year my friend Dave, who is Roman Catholic, has blessed me more than I can describe, being a caring friend and supporting my ministry calling.  I am thankful for the love today between Christians who have major theological differences.  We are to care about everybody, while not compromising our convictions.  May we Christians rely on the Holy Spirit to continue to courageously stand firm in our Biblical convictions!  And may we Christians rely on the Holy Spirit to tell the truths of Jesus Christ to everyone in love!

Hunter Irvine

Scripture Love Blog

(1) Mark Noll, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1997), 151-174.

Ask

Luke 11:9-13   “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (NIV).

   It is imperative we put this verse into context.  Jesus is teaching there is something specific which will be given to all who ask the heavenly Father, and that is the Holy Spirit!
   When I was a new Christian, I was a bit confused about why there are some teachings recorded by Matthew which are similar to teachings recorded by Luke, but which have some differences also.  Many scholars attribute these differences to their claim Luke copied some of Mark and Matthew.  If that had been the case, Luke the doctor was a poor copier.  Yet if you look closely, Jesus simply gave teachings on different occasions which had similarities, yet differences also.  His teaching was not rote!
   For example, in Matthew, Jesus gave what is popularly termed the Sermon on the Mount.  Preceding that teaching, Matthew tells: “Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down…” (Matthew 5:1 NIV).  Whereas before giving similar teachings recorded by Luke in chapter 6: “One of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12 NIV).  Then in verse 17, Luke states: “He went down with them and stood on a level place.”  The teaching in Luke is a different location, thus a different occasion.
   Going back to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus gives a similar teaching to the passage we are pondering, then goes on in verse 12 to give what people often term the “Golden Rule;” do to others what you would have them do to you.  But can anyone truly live the “Golden Rule” without help from God?  I think Jesus wanted to get people thinking here.
   The teaching captured by Luke gives us a more direct statement about what, actually “who,” we are able to receive: the Holy Spirit.  What Jesus was teaching on both occasions is that people need to ask to receive Him, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
   There have been plenty of times in my 27 years of following Jesus when I have asked our heavenly Father for something, and I never got it.  Yet God will always give Himself to anyone who asks!  And that gift results in eternal life, and results in more and more blessings to come.
   Receiving Jesus results in eternal life, because Jesus died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone.  He was the substitute for the wages of sin, which is spiritual death.  If you believe in Jesus, He will forgive you of your sins, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and He will be your forever Father.
Hunter Irvine

Fulfillment

Luke 9:28-36   About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.  As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.  Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.  They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.  Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.  As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here.  Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
   While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.  A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”  When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone.  The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen (NIV).

   What was really going on with this “transfiguration?”  Fulfillment is what was taking place!
   First, the final book of the Old Testament Scriptures is Malachi, and that prophet concluded with the statement: “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.  He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6 NIV).
   Elijah came!  In this passage Elijah came and talked with Jesus.  Plus I am convicted Elijah was the one who talked with John the Baptist (see John 1:32-33 and Luke 1:17).  The prophecy of Malachi was fulfilled!
   And the mission of Jesus which resulted in eternal fulfillment was prophesied here!  Jesus would fulfill the Law and Prophets.  Jesus stated, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17 NIV).  Only Jesus, who never sinned (see 2 Corinthians 5:21), was completely obedient under the Mosaic Law.
   And Jesus completely fulfilled the Mosaic Law and Prophets by being the substitutionary atonement on the cross.  How?  The Mosaic Law demanded sacrifice for sins.  Jesus was the Lamb of God.  The Prophets spoke of the need a Savior.  Jesus was the Savior.  This is what Jesus, Elijah, and Moses were talking about; they were talking about Jesus’ coming death on the cross.
   Jesus Christ died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone.  He was the perfect sacrifice, accomplishing what animal sacrifice under the Mosaic Law was unable to accomplish - the permanent atonement for sins.  Because Jesus was God the Son, because He had perfectly obeyed the Law, and because He died in the place of all people as their substitute, He was the Lamb of God.  If you believe in Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, you will have eternal life in heaven.
Hunter Irvine

Forgiveness of sins

Luke 7:36-50   Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.  When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears.  Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.  When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
   Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
   “Tell me, teacher,” he said.
   “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender.  One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both.  Now which of them will love him more?”
   Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”
   “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
   Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?  I came into your house.  You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much.  But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
   Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
   The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
   Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (NIV).

   Wow.  Jesus was frequently criticized and persecuted by Pharisees, yet He accepts the invitation of a Pharisee named Simon to have dinner at his house.  That was nice of Simon to have Him over for dinner.  But then Simon the Pharisee doubts Jesus is special because Jesus allows a “sinful” woman to touch Him.
   After telling a short parable, Jesus emphasizes how much the woman has done for Him.  First, Simon the Pharisee did not give Jesus water to clean His feet.  A dinner host in those times in the Middle East would often do so since people’s primary transportation was good old fashion walking, people were in sandals, and people wanted clean feet when “reclining” at the dinner table, which was near ground level as people sat on pillows.
   The woman however, cleaned Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair.
   Second, Simon the Pharisee did not greet Jesus with a kiss.  The common greeting in the Middle East two thousand years ago among men was kissing on the cheek, first on the right and then on the left.  Ironically ancient kissing is an area of expertise, not because of experience; no woman ever kisses me unfortunately.  Rather I did a paper on the “holy kiss” when studying at Colorado Christian University.  In my Research Writing class, our great professor, Dr. Petrie, said she wanted each student to come up with a thesis which was original.  I sure did, picking a Biblical topic I had never heard any Christian discuss, the “holy kiss” mentioned in Romans 16:16, I Corinthians 16:20, and I Thessalonians 5:26.  And in I Peter 5:14, Peter mentions the “kiss of love.”
   Today in “Western” culture, a common greeting is shaking hands.  But two thousand years ago it was not common in the Middle East, rather men would greet one another by kissing on the cheek.  But it was not done between men and women as a casual greeting.  This was a difference between the “holy kiss,” which was done in corporate worship between both genders as brothers and sisters in Christ, to express the love of Christ.
   So appropriate to Middle Eastern culture, it would have been a caring greeting by Simon the Pharisee to greet Jesus with a kiss on both cheeks, but he did not.  The woman however, kept kissing Jesus feet!
   Third, Simon the Pharisee did not pour oil on Christ’s head.  Last year CCU hosted a speaker, Dr. Eric Welch from the University of Kansas, who gave a talk on olive oil.  An entire talk on olive oil?  Yes, and it was fascinating because olive oil was crucial in the Middle East daily life in ancient times.  On top of olive oil’s numerous uses, it was apparently common to pour a bit on the head of a dinner guest.
   But no such action by Simon, yet the woman poured perfume on Jesus’ feet!
   After this whole wild scene of this woman pouring out expressions of love at the feet of Jesus, Jesus does the ultimate.  Jesus states, “Your sins are forgiven.”  Only God can forgive sins, and Jesus is God the Son, and He forgives the sins of the woman.
   Scripture states the woman had lived a “sinful” life.  We also know from Scripture that all of us people have sinned.  This week I did some Scouting work.  In my youth, I was utterly devoted in Boy Scouts.  I did more activities than any other Scout in my troop from 1978 until 1985.  I am an Eagle Scout, I earned 36 merit badges, and I was quite “decorated.”  Most importantly in retrospect, I learned some skills and principles I have utilized throughout my life!  Yet I never perfectly lived up to the Scout Law.  And I sinned against our perfect God; I needed salvation for my soul.  Jesus reveals here that faith in Him results in the forgiveness of sins and salvation.
   Jesus Christ died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone.  He was the perfect substitute for the consequences of wrongdoings, which is spiritual death in h-ll.  If you believe in Jesus, your sins are forgiven, and you will have eternal life in heaven.
Hunter Irvine

To do good or to do evil

Luke 6:6-11    On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled.  The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.  But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.”  So he got up and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”  He did so, and his hand was completely restored.  But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus (NIV).

   When studying this passage this morning something hit me: How could religious leaders be “furious” after viewing the healing of a damaged hand?  I have a few physical challenges, including some eye challenges.  Our bodies are so important.  Our bodies are so delicate.  Imagine if you did not have use of one hand.
   There in a synagogue a man with a damaged hand was healed by Jesus.  How awesome.  The man’s life was drastically improved, and he must have gone home with much joy and having an appreciation the rest of his days in this world for the use of his hand.
   But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious, because Jesus was not following their rules according to their interpretation of Scripture, of which they liked to add much legislation.
   In reading this passage, I am saddened as I realize the tragedy of such fury remains today.  There are plenty of instances when goodness done by Christians elicits anger by some.  And oftentimes we Christians simply get heaped with much criticism.  In my 27 years of being a follower of Jesus, I have exponentially improved as a person, more than I can express, however criticism has mounted tremendously.  That seems totally illogical.  Yet Jesus illustrates the reason.  The call of God is to do good rather than evil.  The ministry of Jesus involved physically healing people, yet it ultimately concerns saving the souls of people.  But the call of God is not the mission of all people.  People not adhering to the call of God sometimes do not even consider the spiritual need of salvation.
   Jesus saves souls so that people He has redeemed can be in heaven, and that is what we Christians should be proclaiming.  That message will sometimes be ill received by people who do not want to hear about heaven and h-ll.  And some people will disagree about the morality of physical issues such as sex outside of marriage and drugs.  More and more as a Christian I feel like I am in the minority regarding questions of Biblical morality.  I need to remember that Jesus had the ultimate opposition.
   Our sad fallen world contains much fury.  What can we do to improve things?  My suggestion is that you and me start today with this Bible passage.  Jesus healed the hand of a man because Jesus loved that man.  Let us praise God that He healed his damaged hand.  Let us be thankful that Jesus does good.  And though Jesus is in heaven, let us walk by faith today realizing Jesus can do healing in the hearts of willing people through the Holy Spirit even today.
   Thus I suggest that now you think of one person who needs some healing in his or her heart, and say a prayer that person would turn to Jesus for healing.  It is a start.
+ Heavenly Father, I think of a person I know who recently was hurt, and who needs to open up to You for love and healing.  May she be encouraged that You are her Savior and Lord, and may she be reminded that You are her best Friend.  It is through the loving name of Jesus that I pray.  Amen.
Hunter

The Lord's Prayer - 4

And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil
   For thine is the kingdom,
   and the power,
   and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13 NIV).

   Scripture teaches we can trust God.  He has never led anyone into sin!  “…God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (I John 1:5 NIV).
   But we humans are, to use a nice term, human.  We need deliverance from evil.  Jesus is willing to do so for you and me.

   The conclusion is referred to as a doxology, giving praise to God.  Many Bible translations do not contain this verse, while some do.  This is a rare instance where there is a major discrepancy in earlier manuscripts.  Yet the earliest manuscripts do not contain it.
   If not in the original autograph of Matthew, and I do not think it was, this doxology still may have been expressed by some Christians early on.  “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles,” (also coined the Didache), is an anonymous Christian writing possibly written in the early second century.  The complete copy we have is from 1056 A.D., but could have corruption, yet there are a number of fragments.  And in that old manuscript, the eighth chapter contains the Lord’s Prayer, and there is a similar version of the doxology, though lacking the word “kingdom.”
   For me this debate is a reminder the Lord’s Prayer was not meant to be the official prayer practice.  Jesus was giving us a foundation.  And how appropriate to conclude by giving God the glory.
   To God be the glory indeed!
Hunter Irvine