Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, fellow explorers.

What do you think of that title?—“explorer.” None of us have ever been here before. There is no compelling evidence of reincarnation that I know of. Even if that were true, who in the world is in control of it all? I had no resonation whatsoever when attending the funeral recently of a distant relative on Becki’s side. This lady made it clear to those close to her that she wanted to be reincarnated as a sea otter. Sea otter? Why? I discern no nobility in that quest whatsoever…only heart rending sadness…with near 0% smugness. Oh, the sad twisted options men choose who choose to reject the love and grace of God revealed in Christ! I resonate more with the song writer who sings (Hey…let’s sing it together!), “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold. I’d rather be His than have riches untold. I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land. I’d rather be led by His nail-scarred hand. Than to be the king of a vast domain—or be held in sin’s dread sway. I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today!”

Sorry. Got a little carried away there. Becki is awaiting me to do our walk/jog.

Blessings on your day. “Blessed”—what a concept!

Love, Dad/Ray.

This is not one of the well-known “Beatitudes,” but it gives some special insight into another kind of condition for receiving the blessing of God.

It is quite apparent that John the Baptist was having some questions in his mind at this point concerning whether or not Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Maybe the unfolding ministry and influence of Jesus as the Messiah was not as fast and dramatic as John had previously envisioned and it raised some doubts. Or maybe John was being a little tainted by the “negative press” Jesus was receiving from the hard-headed legalists. Whatever the case, it’s good to know that Jesus was not alarmed or offended by John’s question. And get this—nor is He offended by your honest fluctuations of faith. He only wants you to be continually reminded as to Who He is along with His trustworthiness. That’s how He directs John. Jesus actually makes reference to His fulfilling the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 35:5-6: “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.” Whereas Jesus had been doing an abundance of miracles just like those described by Isaiah, He was saying to John, “Check it out. You be the judge. Do I not have here the credentials of the Messiah? If so, trust Me.”

“The just shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38) is a high-ranking scriptural principle. True faith, however, does not require crystal clear perception and complete understanding. It only requires our walking in the light that we have. I confess, for example, to having a large number of unsettled questions about a lot of Bible doctrines. But that must not be allowed to impair my confidence that God is true, that He is good, and that He has everything under control. Deuteronomy 29:29 has been a stabilizing influence down through the years of my own pilgrimage, “The secret things (things not yet clearly revealed) belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” That helps me understand that I am not responsible for what I do not or cannot know…only for what I do and can know. Furthermore it seems that God will never permit me such an abundance of vision and understanding that I no longer need to “live by faith.”

BLESSED IS THE MAN, therefore, who does not give up or surrender his faith in Christ just because of contrary public opinion—or a shortage of understanding—or because Christ does not appear to be performing in ways we would expect or prefer. I conclude that we are wise to make sure we measure up to this condition for blessing.