Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, special ones.
I don’t know if you are as weary as I am of all the political hype out there right now. It’s reaching frenzy frequencies. We’re all vulnerable to one degree or another. May I suggest that we just sit down and be quiet for a moment…and please sing with me…
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Whew! Now, with that perspective in place, I’m now better prepared to carry on with mundane urgencies before me. And there are many. Put out the garbage, remove a sign, repair the truck, finish a shed, install a wood stove, make fruit salad, maybe process more apple cider…etc. In fact, the list is intensified with the fact that two little boys are here consuming a lot of time and attention…yet we have not yet seen Thano…who retired last night with the announcement that he feels like he’s getting sick. More adventure.
Make sure you vote, pray for America, seek first His Kingdom, and have a great day. I guess I didn’t put that in the order of priority, but you know what I mean.
Love, Dad/Ray.
I quite agree with the reasoning of Jesus’ brothers—even though their words were tainted with sarcasm at the time. If Jesus is truly Who He says He is, and as powerful and important as He claims to be, by all means, He should be presented to the world. Why should the masses be deprived of His blessings and benefits? He should not be kept in some obscure corner, out of view. Jesus’ response to the antagonism of His brothers was that the timing was not quite right. His presentation to the world would come later. Of course, He also knew something about the intentions of the Jewish leaders about which His brothers had not a clue.
As we examine the challenge of Jesus’ brothers—“Show yourself to the world”—we have to conclude, HE HAS! HE IS! What’s more, it’s important to remember that you and I are parts of His presentation plan! So here’s the bigger-than-$64,000-question: WHAT KIND OF A JESUS CHRIST ARE YOU PRESENTING TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU?
QUICK REVIEW: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18).
“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).