Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear people.
We just did a walk/jog again on our place. It’s working OK. But we find ourselves spending too much time chasing the balls that the dogs are supposed to be chasing. They get so eager over chasing the ball that they don’t pay attention to where the ball is going—and end up just chasing—that’s all—just chasing—chasing the fantasy of chasing a ball—when there is no ball to be chased in the direction they’re chasing. Hey—I think we have a sermon illustration here.
In order to deal most effectively with my work load today, I think I need to activate the sawmill—and keep it singing. Oh yes—I have blades that are ready for pick up from Wood-Mizer Resharp too.
Have a great day—staying awake and watchful and resistant to deception. Man!—I sure heard an earful of deceptive ideology yesterday. It’s a package of thought that I think is epidemic in our modern world. I also think I know who is inspiring it.
Love, Dad/Ray.
The lead question presented by the disciples in verse 4 was, “Tell us, WHEN will these things happen?” Why would Jesus respond the way He did by saying, “Watch out that no one deceives you”? The reasonable reason as I see it is something like this: IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE DECEIVED then WHEN THESE THINGS WILL HAPPEN DOESN’T REALLY MATTER. It’s not till verse 32 that Jesus begins to address the question of WHEN. And even there, the answer is not specific. Besides stating that He can’t tell exactly WHEN, He also implies that WHEN doesn’t really matter—that to be high-centered on the WHEN is to be preoccupied with the unimportant.
So what is important? Listen up! If you have ever been given good, practical, and all-encompassing advice on how to successfully live your life in a way that is pleasing to God, and free from failure, I think you have it here in this chapter. This advice comes in the form of WARNINGS. And they come from Someone who KNOWS—not just someone with an opinion or an agenda. Let’s quickly review those warnings at face value: “Watch out that no one deceives you” (v. 5). “Be on your guard” (v. 9). “Do not worry” (v. 11). “Do not believe it” (v. 21). “Be on your guard” (v. 23). “Be on your guard” (v. 33). “Be alert” (v. 33). “Keep watch” (v. 35). “What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” (v. 37). (Quick question: How many people is “everyone?”)
Whew! Do we get the picture? Are we paying attention? Are we truly aware of what we are engaged in? Do we really see the battle lines drawn? Do we comprehend the prize of victory and the consequence of defeat?
Let’s give attention to one more important statement of warning given at the end of this discourse: “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you…”…“Yawn…zzzzzzzzzz”… “sleeping” (v. 36).