Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear ones.

We did a fun little excursion today with Thano’s two little boys, but without Thano, since he had to work. We met up with Andy and his family (and dog) at the trailhead for a short little hike to Butte Creek Falls, just SE of Scotts Mills. It was an easy walk with gorgeous scenery in an old growth forest. There were lots of Doug Fir trees that are 5 feet in diameter at the butt. We were home in time to return the boys to their mother by 4pm. Then I was free to get in my old man nap. Now, I think it’s about time to crank up the grass-cutting equipment and see if I can reduce some of the jungle around here.

Have a great evening.

Love, Dad/Ray.

This is not one of the well-known “Beatitudes,” but it gives some special insight into another kind of condition for receiving the blessing of God.

It is quite apparent that John the Baptist was having some questions in his mind at this point concerning whether or not Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Maybe the unfolding ministry and influence of Jesus as the Messiah was not as fast and dramatic as John had previously envisioned and it raised some doubts. Or maybe John was being a little tainted by the “negative press” Jesus was receiving from the hard-headed legalists. Whatever the case, it’s good to know that Jesus was not alarmed or offended by John’s question. And get this—nor is He offended by your honest fluctuations of faith. He only wants you to be continually reminded as to Who He is along with His trustworthiness. That’s how He directs John. Jesus actually makes reference to His fulfilling the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 35:5-6: “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.” Whereas Jesus had been doing an abundance of miracles just like those described by Isaiah, He was saying to John, “Check it out. You be the judge. Do I not have here the credentials of the Messiah? If so, trust Me.”

“The just shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38) is a high-ranking scriptural principle. True faith, however, does not require crystal clear perception and complete understanding. It only requires our walking in the light that we have. I confess, for example, to having a large number of unsettled questions about a lot of Bible doctrines. But that must not be allowed to impair my confidence that God is true, that He is good, and that He has everything under control. Deuteronomy 29:29 has been a stabilizing influence down through the years of my own pilgrimage, “The secret things (things not yet clearly revealed) belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” That helps me understand that I am not responsible for what I do not or cannot know…only for what I do and can know. Furthermore it seems that God will never permit me such an abundance of vision and understanding that I no longer need to “live by faith.”

BLESSED IS THE MAN, therefore, who does not give up or surrender his faith in Christ just because of contrary public opinion—or a shortage of understanding—or because Christ does not appear to be performing in ways he would expect or prefer. I conclude that we are wise to measure up to this condition for blessing.