Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, good people.

The day kind of got away from me in a way that made me think I had sent this already. That may be a symptom of my condition right there. Anyway, I’m sending it now.

Becki and I managed a walk/jog this morning. It was kind of embarrassing at one point to have two dogs not submitting to commands when a car came by. At another point on our excursion I chatted with a guy who may not think much of me. He’s a big gun with a labor union, and began to spew some of his liberal brainwashing of how wonderful his union is—putting people to work and providing good paying pensions, etc. I didn’t say too much, but he could tell I wasn’t offering an “Amen” to everything he had to say. I guess I’m inclined to see labor unions as having more of a negative impact on our present culture and economy than a positive one. No—I don’t really want to debate.

On with what’s left of the day. Blessings on the rest of yours

Love, Dad/Ray.

The fact that this young man was wealthy is not as significant as the evidence that he was bound by, and perhaps in love with, his wealth. He not only owned a lot of stuff, but a lot of stuff owned him. That attachment had to produce in him a gnawing sense of emptiness that made him feel lacking and spiritually sick in spite of his prosperity and legalistic religiosity. He approached Doctor Jesus with a kind of request for healing. He probably was quite confident that he could do or pay for whatever Jesus prescribed. He expected a quick fix. But Jesus ultimately prescribed a liberal dose of self-denial, to be followed by a consistent diet of FOLLOWING HIM. The price tag suddenly shot up to way beyond what he wanted to pay. “Well, I’m really not that sick,” the man responded by implication, and continued on his way, probably still searching for a cure.

We too would do well to beware of the infectious influence of anything that withholds us from unconditionally following Jesus. Besides the danger of being consumed with the worries and cares surrounding wealth, it is also all too easy to be caught up in a form of Christian activity while being left weak and out of sorts by the low-grade infection of unyieldedness. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance…our eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-2).

Be reminded of the original question and the bottom-line answer in this exchange between Jesus and this rich guy. The question: “What good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus’ answer: “Follow me.”