Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings on this cold foggy morning, dear special ones.

Just returned from a walk jog. There were three of us this time—three humans, that is. Dandy dog makes four. The third one is my good friend, Elvin.

Wow! I just received a call back from a guy who is offering his dog to a qualified new home. I only sent an email inquiry on the dog this morning. Sounds like a great dog. The guy wants us to take him. So Dandy may have to learn how to play second fiddle around here—at least a duet. After I send this I’ll run to the house and give Becki the good news.

As I ponder the quote by Ben Franklin that I’ve added at the end of the devotional I have some contempt and sarcasm welling up within me. It’s aimed at the idiotic stupid notion that seems popular in our arrogant modern society—that we of 2015 are so much more advanced than those dead people who lived so long ago in history past. Just because we can drive Smart Cars and talk on smart phones has absolutely nothing to do with being smarter. Lord help us!

Blessings on your whole day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

These parables of Jesus, of course, are stories of things we know that help to give description and meaning to things we don’t know. In using them, Jesus is being very kind and thoughtful toward us earthlings who are not naturally equipped with a knowledge of the heavenly.

These two small parables about the treasure in a field and the priceless pearl are squeezed into just three verses. But their meanings are very big. However we slice and dice them, there are two very important generalizations that grab my attention.

• Firstly, this treasure of great value is not just laying there in the open for everyone to see. Of course, the Sovereign Lord could have made it that way if He chose. Instead it is “hidden”—but obscure to public view—yet totally available—found only means of searching and seeking. That sure sounds like another spin on Matthew 6:33.


• Secondly, let’s not allow one shred of misconception to block our understanding of how incredibly valuable is the gift of Christ to a sin-bound soul, and how important it is to come under His kingship. In line with this, let’s be reminded of the great statement that the Apostle Paul gives the Colossian believers concerning his motivation for doing ministry. “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:2,3).