Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, special ones.
It’s been a kind of bad night…with two sick little boys…sometimes erupting from both ends. Not fun. It is keeping the washer and dryer busy. Both boys were up this morning about 4:30am. To make matters worse, we let Max in this morning, and he promptly barfed on the floor. Why am I telling you this? At least it’s evidence that we’re not yet exempt from real life on this planet.
There is a dusting of snow on the ground. Not enough for a snowman. I’ll probably go to our Gospel Sing thing in Woodburn alone so Becki and Thano can look after the little ones at home.
The adventure is ongoing. And His faithfulness remains great. We’ll be singing that this morning—“GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS.” Why not sing it now.
Love, Dad/Ray
15 January
Passage: Matthew 11:1-30
Focus: “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:3.
There has obviously been something unsettling going on in John the Baptist’s view of Jesus. During his dynamic ministry he declared of Jesus, “He is the one!” (John 1:27). But now, after being persecuted, arrested, and confined to a lonely jail cell, he sends some of his followers to confront Jesus with the question, “Are you the One?” In my judgment, there’s only one way to account for the shift: DISCOURAGEMENT. It could also be a symptom of accompanying DEPRESSION.
After John’s disciples depart, Jesus proceeds to give a great round of public applause for John. He says that there never was anyone greater. And then He makes a statement that, at first, seems paradoxical. He says, “He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (v. 11). How do you figure that out?
If you recall, both John and Jesus basically preached the same message: “The kingdom of heaven is near.” I reason that the “kingdom of heaven” is one and the same with the Church of Christ—the New Testament fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation through Christ. That’s what John came to prepare the way for. That’s why “all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John” (v. 13). And that’s what Jesus came to fulfill. So “the kingdom of heaven” is not just near, it’s here!—and there’s still space available!
QUESTION: How can a New Testament believer be “greater” than John the Baptist? ANSWER: By receiving and participating in the kingdom that John was presenting and preceding—by being in Christ and clothed with His righteousness.
I hope you agree that John was going to the right place with his discouragement. He was essentially going to Jesus. Isn’t that where we should all go when discouragement makes gouges in our confidence? Isn’t that what Jesus was inviting in the last three verses? “Are you tired? Worn out? (Discouraged?) Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take the real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message).
"If it were not for the hot water, the tea kettle would not sing."