Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, dear ones.
The little boys came last night. So I’m kind of hiding out in the shop office (sign studio) that I’m still working at setting up in the pole barn. I’m sending this out via wi-fi…transmitting this file through a few walls into the main house to the modem router. It’s almost supernatural.
My production this morning is largely an original. I’m not real sure how compatible the view I’ve taken is with yours. At least it’s one that deserves consideration. May the Lord help us to get it as right as possible.
Can I still pull off a jog at this late point on the clock? I’ll send this and then fight with my list.
Have a great day…even though it may not be the greatest.
Love, Dad/Ray
I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, but I don’t believe that all the attitudes and behaviors that the Bible records are necessarily inspired of God. So I’m not entirely sure that the attitudes displayed here by “the Twelve” (formerly “disciples,” now referred to as “apostles”) are necessarily squeaky-clean. Is it possible that the persistent residue of human nature is still contaminating these men?—even after their great spiritual experiences? Is it possible that although they have just witnessed the ugly effects of the Jewish religious elite, they are already in the process of rebuilding another class of religious elite?—Christian “Spirit-filled” elite? Is it possible that these “leaders” are still caught up in a kind of class debate over who is the greatest?
Listen again to what these men said, paying close attention to their implicit views and attitudes. “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.’” Oh, really? It would not be right? Excuse me, men, but I have a recording here of what Jesus said to you only a few months ago. Let me play it for you. “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12). And listen to this excerpt: “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” (Luke 22:25-27). Hmm.
Nothing that is worth anything seems to be entirely easy in this world—not even surrounding big loud Spirit-inspired revivals like this one. And it didn’t really matter how wonderful and spiritual and exciting things would become, there were still a bunch of practical realities that could not be avoided. They still had to eat. They still had to sleep. They still had to take baths, (at least they should), brush their teeth, comb their hair, wash their clothes, dispose of the trash, shop for food, prepare the meals, wash the dishes, clean up the kitchen, and wait in line to use the toilet. (I wonder who was responsible to furnish the toilet paper?...or whatever was used. I guess I’m a realist.)
We are wise to recognize that it is in the performance of these mundane tasks that true Christianity meets its most critical tests. So—how are you doing?