Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear ones.

One day at a time is how life plays out on planet earth. And the way our wonderful I-wouldn’t-trade-it-for-anything faith plays out, we’re one day closer home. I think the best way for us to process TODAY is with that back-burner awareness.

Both little boys were romping and playing all over our bed early this morning…along with the little kitten. As cute as these little kids are, they still offer glaring confirmation of the inherent natural sin nature as presented in Biblical revelation. Without any instruction in this direction, they demonstrate passionate selfishness…and are quite willing to be ugly, disobedient, unkind, and abusive in order get what they want in the moment…because what they want in the moment is the absolutely most important thing in their entire universe. I’m sure you’ve never noticed this before (smile). Is it not sad that we are surrounded by human adults who behave basically the same way? Doesn’t this offer profound support for Jesus’ words that all humans need to be BORN AGAIN? I resonate with the quip that says JESUS DID NOT COME TO MAKE BAD PEOPLE GOOD, BUT TO MAKE DEAD PEOPLE LIVE. There is no other general conclusion to draw from a careful reading, for example, of the Gospel of John.

I know…I’m supposed to be light and trivial in this personal comment section…but I again became carried away with some heavier stuff.

Phooey!...I hear rain on the roof and now see the evidence out this window. I wanted to take off on a jog after sending this. Also, I have a stack of lumber outside that I wanted to keep dry…and the track hoe is still outside beside the mill. Oh well…this is fall…and this is Oregon.

As you do your day, please be mindful and in pursuit of your being transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:1-2). No one can do that for you.

Love, Dad/Ray.

I’m choosing to give some attention to Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene. First, I note that He initially addresses her by the impersonal name for the mature female gender—“Woman” (v.15). It was like she was a stranger to Him. He not only allowed that implication, I think He intended it.

Then He asks two questions: (1) “Why are you crying?” Jesus knew exactly why she was crying. But He raises the question to help her objectively examine for herself the real cause for her subjective anguish. (2) “Who is it you are looking for?” Again, Jesus knew full well who she was looking for. But I think He was helping her to focus on the WHO part of the question. Was she just looking for a dead man?—a man she had previously hoped and trusted to be the Messiah?—but now represented huge disappointment, having allowed himself to be so shamefully murdered? Did she have any recollection of Jesus’ promise made to Martha back in chapter 11—a statement that Mary Magdalene very likely heard for herself? “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

Mary doesn’t even try to answer those questions—she’s much too consumed by her dismal circumstances and emotional stress to be thinking very clear—UNTIL Jesus speaks again. All He said was, “Mary.” He spoke her name—HER name! Suddenly lights came on. This IS Jesus! Jesus IS alive! He IS NOT dead! He KNOWS me! He knows ME! He KNOWS my past, my struggle, my pain, my shame, my present, my future—He knows it all! And He knows that HE IS MY ONLY HOPE!

Here’s what I believe Jesus wants to say to you—He wants to say, “_____________.” (Fill in your own name.) He wants to be a PERSONAL Savior and Lord.