Boo! (Part 1)

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:14-17 ESV).

“Boo!” At least that’s the title of our next little series in Morning Devotionals. I know I risk offending some folks who take a different approach to this centuries old holiday; however, my hope is to give a perspective that emphasizes the grace and victory that we celebrate through the work of Christ as we understand the root of this day with a bit more depth. Let me begin with a basic truth: Halloween is not too haunted for true saints. This is no night for God’s “holy ones” to run and hide, but rise up and revel in the power of our sovereign Christ. This is not the devil’s day, but ours. No concessions, no treaties, no retreat. No call to fear, but an invitation to feast. Today we’ll look at a little Scripture and some history. Originally “All Hallows’ Eve” may have been an annual commemoration of the seemingly “super-holy,” the Roman “saints.” The word hallows comes from the Latin and translates “holy ones.” It has been celebrated since the Eighth century. It was then called “the feast of All Hallows.” On its current date in the Western Church, it may be traced to Pope Gregory III's (731–741) founding of an oratory in St. Peter’s Basilica for the relics "of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors". However, those of us who find our theological roots in the Reformation see the history of this day a bit differently. It was on October 31, 1517, at the church door in Wittenberg, Germany that Martin Luther started a monumental change in the Church. Eventually Luther labored with a multitude of others to liberate God’s people from a host of medieval misconceptions, including the assumption that only some, not all, of Christ’s people are “saints” (cf. Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; and 2 Corinthians 1:1). History tells us that Halloween is not the devil’s day, but ours! Claiming All Hallows’ Eve truly belongs to believers does not mean we celebrate death or darkness. We celebrate our Savior’s victory over death and over everything demonic. We mark Christ’s triumph, through death, over sin and Satan. The writer of Hebrews certainly understood this truth. In our reading today he said, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (v. 14). In the days ahead we’ll unpack more of this. Today, celebrate our victory! Even the devil cannot overpower us!