Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

The sun is shining, the swallows are back, and the Robbins and other song-birds are singing. I told Becki earlier that if I didn’t have a big agenda, I’d run off to Timberline on Mt. Hood and ski their highest run which I judge from here would be absolutely terrific—the Palmer lift..

Since Becki is not here at present, I’m not able to get her final approval of this composition. But I’ll risk sending it anyway. But she earlier approved my first paragraph.

When Becki returns, I need to be packed up and ready to roll to a unique naturopathic doctor’s appointment in Beaverton. It’s unique because I will not only have some medical consultation with the doctor, but I will also be installing a nice sandblasted sign I crafted on the main wall of his new office. In this exchange, I don’t pay the doctor, but the doctor gets to pay me. Cool.

Have a great day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

May I suggest we take another honest look at Christ on the cross. There is no compelling reason that I can think of to allow the imagination of others to control my own imagination in visualizing that image. Least of all do I feel some great need for Hollywood’s spectacular ability to help me out. I don’t think my own faith will be in any way damaged because I have not joined the crowds to see THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST and SON OF GOD. And there is one little detail that I think none of them get exactly right in their portrayals. All the old paintings, pictures in books, dramas, sculptures, and movies—they all alter the scene to at least a PG-13 rating—and discreetly install some kind of loin cloth or loose-fitting undergarment around Jesus’ mid-section. But if my imagination and hunch is correct, there was no such thing in the REAL crucifixion. I think Jesus was put on display on that cross in the absolute nude—stark naked—with all his private gender parts hanging there for all to see—the epitome of personal suffering and shame (within almost all cultures)—which, of course, is the sadistic goal of capital punishment by crucifixion.

Don’t take me wrong. I’m not really suggesting that we attempt to recall all the visual aids out there and edit them to nakedness in order to make them more authentic. I would vote for discretion too. The point is this: Let’s not allow our built-in shame of public nakedness to sanitize our understanding of the shame Jesus bore on that cross in achieving His role and function as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)—which computes to your salvation—and mine.

It is this meaning and scope of salvation that was intended in the work and ministry of Christ. But just like mockers of today, the “chief priests and teachers of the law” misunderstood and arrogantly misrepresented the words of Jesus, ascribing to them a non-intended meaning. For them, being “saved” meant nothing more than a state of physical well-being. “He saved others…but he can’t save himself!” Is it not heart-rending and ironic to witness so many who still choose to mock their way to their own destruction?!

Let me wrap up with this thought: Sin is a deadly poison and drastic perversion of God’s plans for man—and calls for a drastic antidote. “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3).