Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

Whew! That concert we attended last evening with the Air Force Academy Concert Band was terrific. It was such a rush of dynamic music that I came away both pumped and exhausted. And our meal at the Mt. Angel Glockenspiel Restaurant was good too. So Becki liked her birthday. She just doesn’t like what birthdays do to her.

I hope the rain holds off. I need to carry on with finishing up the sign install for Cindy’s Cafe which requires refurbishing the lighted cabinet. Then tonight we’ll be attending a senior fellowship dinner.

Time to do our walk/jog. 

May you be blessed with another day…and may your day be blessed.

Love, Dad/Ray.

It is highly significant to note that this occasion of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a never-before-ridden donkey (…a miracle in itself! Try it sometime.) amidst a big parade of exuberant supporters was the first time Jesus had ever allowed Himself to be presented publicly as the promised Messiah. The crowds were eager and excited over the idea of a Messiah, but totally ignorant of how it would immediately play out according to God’s script.

The next day when Jesus storms the temple at Jerusalem and purges it of the merchandising that had become commonplace there, He quotes from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. I’d like to give some attention to the three main phrases Jesus uses with the confidence that they contain some valuable practical meaning for us all.

“MY HOUSE.” Jesus was quoting from the Old Testament with obvious emphasis on a real building. But the New Testament makes the profound point that “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). There is a huge amount of scripture to support this idea. Think of it. Your very life and existence is a house made by God—for God.

“HOUSE OF PRAYER.” The Genesis account gives insight into the fact that God’s original intent in the creation of man was for fellowship. Fellowship with God IS prayer. And prayer IS living in eager obedience to His will and design. This is our divinely-intended function and purpose. What is anything less? SIN.

“DEN OF ROBBERS.” That which is permitted in our lives to block our calling to fellowship with God is to be reckoned as a thief and a robber—and needs to be decisively run out of town. These subtle thoughts and influences are enemies and craftily wile their ways into our lives in all sizes and shapes and forms. (See again Galatians 5:19-21.) They must be identified. They must be expelled at any cost.