Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear ones.

We traveled home today from the Bremerton area, having spent the night at the home of a high school buddy and his wife at Poulsbo. Beautiful setting there right on the shore of an inlet from Puget Sound. Sunday, we had a great time at the homecoming for the Erland’s Point Bible Church. Our family attended that little church between 1948 and 1951—only 3 short years. But oh the impact of that brief period on our entire family—and definitely on my own life course. After all, it was there, at the ripe old age of 5, during a series of special kids meetings, spell-bound by the presentation of a chalk artist evangelist, highlighting the composition with ultra-violet “black light,” portraying the crucifixion of Christ, helping me comprehend that HE DIED FOR ME—wow!—I could not resist going forward to receive Christ for my personal Savior. Lots of memories. We were also able to have a good visit this morning with a niece and her family at Gig Harbor. Great times.

Good night. Love, Dad/Ray.

The Old Testament Law and sacrificial system are clearly themes throughout this book of Hebrews. We definitely should rejoice and be glad that we live on this side of the cross—that we are free from the inconvenience and legalism of the OLD. Indeed we have the high privilege of participating in its fulfillment. But let us who endorse the NEW system understand that we are not exempt from sacrificing. We are still expected, even required, to offer sacrifices. They are not like the OLD kind that involved external substitutional death and shedding of innocent blood. By contrast, they are internal and flow out of a clear view of the big picture afforded us by His revelation. They are expressions from the heart of the redeemed—of gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise for the once-for-all Sacrifice of God’s Perfect Lamb. Yet they are similar in that these sacrifices (1) must be offered continually, and (2) must be substantiated by the external observable evidence of sharing one’s blessings with others and intentionally doing good to them (v. 16). Think about it.

I wish to cite verses 13 through 16 from the Message translation and allow that to be our punch line. “So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This ‘insider world’ is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name. Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of ‘sacrifice’—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.”