Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

We have attempted to reserve Saturdays for work around our place—our own work. We’re not doing very well with that plan. I have to run off again to the sawmill job in a half hour to do a round of work and also connect with the land owner who is coming down from his home in Vader, Washington. A big motivation is that he’s bringing money—something we can’t seem to live without. I have to be back home in time to go to jail. Yup—I’m going to the Clackamas County jail to speak to the inmates that gather for a service.

I have not yet been skiing all season. But I was contacted by my cousin yesterday inviting me to join in a little ski outing at Mt. Bachelor in April. Maybe my old body will make it to the snow once this year after all.

Before I leave I need to unload the skid steer and disconnect the trailer. Better get moving.

Blessings on your day. Love, Dad/Ray.

I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, but I don’t believe that all the attitudes and behaviors that the Bible records are necessarily inspired of God. So I’m not entirely sure that the attitudes displayed here by “the Twelve” (formerly “disciples,” now referred to as “apostles”) are necessarily squeaky-clean. Is it possible that the persistent residue of human nature is still contaminating these men?—even after their great spiritual experiences? Is it possible that although they have just witnessed the ugly effects of the Jewish religious elite, they are already in the process of rebuilding another class of religious elite?—Christian “Spirit-filled” elite? Is it possible that these “leaders” are still caught up in a kind of class debate over who is the greatest?

Listen again to what these men said, paying close attention to their implicit views and attitudes. “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.’” Oh, really? It would not be right? Excuse me, men, but I have a recording here of what Jesus said to you only a few months ago. Let me play it for you. “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12). And listen to this excerpt: “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” (Luke 22:25-27). Hmm.

Nothing that is worth anything seems to be entirely easy in this world—not even surrounding big loud Spirit-inspired revivals like this one. And it didn’t really matter how wonderful and spiritual and exciting things would become, there were still a bunch of practical realities that could not be avoided. They still had to eat. They still had to sleep. They still had to take baths, (at least they should), brush their teeth, comb their hair, wash their clothes, dispose of the trash, shop for food, prepare the meals, wash the dishes, clean up the kitchen, and wait in line to use the toilet. (I wonder who was responsible to furnish the toilet paper?...or whatever was used. I guess I’m a realist.)

We are wise to recognize that it is in the performance of these mundane tasks that true Christianity meets its most critical tests. So—how are you doing?