Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings on this Sunday afternoon.

This evening, after our sing time with the seniors at Pheasant Pointe, we plan to run to Dallas again. This will be the third Sunday for doing a little Bible lesson with the grandkids. Another family has joined in. Lord help us to communicate essential Biblical concepts to these kids.

Blessings. Love, Dad/Ray.

Between verses 39 and 54 this statement is made by Jesus 4 times—“I will raise him up at the last day.” It has to be important for Him to repeat it so many times. But what does it really mean? Without getting too technical, let’s examine the idea by raising a few basic questions.

1. What is meant by being raised? Taking it all into account, it first involves a natural death (something everyone does, you know), then being supernaturally resurrected at an appointed “last day” with a new form of life that will never end—all in wonderful friendly fellowship with our Maker.


2. Who will be raised? They are those whom the Father has given Jesus (v.39), those who look to Jesus and believe in Him (v.40), and those who eat Jesus’ flesh and drink His blood (v.54). These descriptions are fairly easy to understand—except the last one. Concerning that, I have concluded that Jesus is speaking symbolically of those who appropriate to themselves the saving influence of His broken body and shed blood. That, of course, is the intended meaning contained in the Holy Communion ceremony observed in most Christian churches. I believe it also means seeking and receiving Jesus’ Life as imparted through God’s Word, about which Jesus states, “Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).


3. What is the meaning of believing in Him? It simply involves truly and decisively believing that Jesus Christ is one’s only hope for escaping the consequences of sin, and believing that enough to obey Him and His Word.


4. When is the last day? Well, sorry, the Biblical record does not allow knowing specific times and dates. All we need to know is that there will be a last day—that God will bring to termination this dispensation of time and unite those He raises with new life—eternal life.

I know this kind of thing is not on the ballots now being counted—but I certainly want to vote for this hope. All the alternatives hold no appeal. It still remains a priority matter of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).