Insightful Musings on the New Testament
by
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67

Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.

Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray is following, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010.

|  Daily Reading Guide  |  2010 Devotion Archives  |
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28 Nov 10
            Dear ones.
            There’s enough daylight to see the creek ripping along.  Even though it’s an overcast dark-looking day, it’s a pretty picture.  I think I’ll head out and try on a jog soon.  Then it’s preparation for church which begins at 9:30am.  We only get to attend about every other Sunday as on those days to do a mini-service “Gospel Sing” in Woodburn (Country Meadows).  We’re hitting it right—after the service is a THANKSGIVING POTLUCK.  So tomorrow, I better jog twice.
            Have a great day.  Blessings.  Love, Dad/Ray.
           
 
28 November 2010
Passage: John 20:1-18
Focus: “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’”  John 20:16.
            I’m choosing to give some attention to Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene. First, I note that He initially addresses her by the impersonal name for the female gender—“Woman” (v.15).  It was like she was a stranger to Him.  He not only allowed that implication, I think He intended it.
            Then He asks two questions: (1) “Why are you crying?”  Jesus knew exactly why she was crying.  But He raises the question to help her objectively examine for herself the real cause for her subjective anguish.  (2) “Who is it you are looking for?” Again, Jesus knew full well who she was looking for.  But I think He was helping her to focus on the WHO part of the question.  Was she just looking for a dead man?—a man she had hoped and trusted to be the Messiah?—but now represented huge disappointment, having allowed himself to be so shamefully murdered?  Did she have any recollection of Jesus’ promise made to Martha back in chapter 11—a statement that Mary Magdalene very likely heard for herself?  “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
            Mary doesn’t even try to answer those questions—she’s much too consumed by her dismal circumstances and emotional stress to be thinking very clear—UNTIL Jesus speaks again.  All He said was, “Mary.”  He spoke her name—HER name! Suddenly lights came on.  This IS Jesus!  Jesus IS alive!  He IS NOT dead!  He KNOWS me!  He knows ME!  He KNOWS my past, my struggle, my pain, my shame, my present, my future—He knows it all! And He knows that HE IS MY ONLY HOPE!
            Here’s what I believe Jesus wants to say to you—He wants to say, “_____________.”  (Fill in your own name.)
 
“The greatest enemy of man is not disease--it is despair.”