Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear people, on this nice Monday morning…

…as we launch another big day at the beginning of another big week. I’m already tired.

I had a call back from the dermatologist doctor this morning. He reports that the infection is a form of staph—but not the really bad kind. I now think it’s slowly improving.

Becki just left for her Woodburn Bible Study. She gave me the assignment of grating out 3 coconuts—which is the island style method of gleaning grated coconut. She will be making some coconut pies, then we’ll use some of that coconut in making some Marshallese rice balls (“bobo”). I’ll also need to get the stone-cooking fire ready for lighting about noon. We have 6 Cornish game hens to cook. I guess Andy will be stone cooking a wild turkey that his archery-hunting buddy nailed with his traditional bow. It looks like Andy’s 40th birthday is gonna be a feast.

I mentioned to Becki this morning, “Why should Andy get all this attention on his birthday when you did all the work?!” I was there for the whole ordeal. I saw how much work she did. After delivery, I remember going with her to the ward where I almost got in a dog fight. That mangy dog under her bed didn’t much like being evicted. Oh, the memories.

I wonder if today will offer any special reasons for remembering it. The adventure goes on. May God bless your slice of adventure.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Remember that in chapter 2 we encounter old man Simeon at the temple in Jerusalem who pronounces a special prophecy over baby Jesus. He said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against” (Luke 2:34). The central theme of this prophecy, in other words, is that this baby would grow to become a dividing line between the SAVED and the LOST. Now, in chapter 3, we have another prophecy concerning Jesus coming from a different instrument, “John the Baptist,” but the theme is basically the same. It foretells Jesus as performing a work of separation among men, as one would separate wheat from the chaff. John said, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn (Heaven), but he will burn (Hell) up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:16-17).

The important point to make from this is that no one can be neutral in relation to Jesus Christ. The ultimate choice facing all men boils down to a matter of BARN or BURN. It can be a choice for Him, seeking Him, trusting Him and SAVED by Him (in His BARN), or a choice against Him, rejecting Him, indifferent to Him, ignoring Him, and LOST (and BURN). Any attempt to cast a neutral vote constitutes a vote against Christ. If Jesus really is the One and Only hope for salvation from sin and its consequences (John 14:6), how can it be otherwise?

This is just another reminder concerning the importance of Christ. He’s not only the Axis of all human history, the Axis of all human existence, but also the Axis of all human destiny.