Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, dear ones.
Beautiful morning. I just returned from the breakfast table where two little mischievous boys were included. They’re here for the weekend. They have already turned over the me the broken tricycle expecting me to fix it. I also need to get on with a project that I agreed to yesterday—building a wheelchair ramp for friends just down the road.
One of the kittens is asleep in my lap—having climbed up my pant leg to get there. Earlier the kittens were playing with a dead mouse that Taffy brought in for them. Now Kaden has interrupted this one’s sleep, snatching him from my lap.
Have a great day. Be blessed.
Love, Dad/Ray.
This particular scene in this unfolding drama is not real easy to figure out at face value. A lot of amazing stuff is going on front and center stage—along with a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes. Bear in mind that this scene opens on the heels of a highly significant story Jesus tells about “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return” (v. 12). And why did He tell that story? It’s stated clearly—“because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once” (v. 11). Bear in mind that Jesus is not walking, but miraculously riding on the back of a miraculously-acquired young donkey “which no one had ever ridden” (v. 30)—without being bucked off! Also bear in mind how Jesus responds to the antagonists who rebuke Jesus saying, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” (v. 39). He clearly implies that this particular event is so special and fulfilling of prophetic Scripture that “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (v. 40).
Now the scene grows confusing with the large crowd around him all fired up with excitement and emotion and noise which those viewing would expect to make Jesus display great pleasure—but look at Him now—He’s crying! What in the world is going on here?!
I believe we are being led to the recognition of a reality that Jesus stated back in chapter 17—and a truth He cryptically discloses later to Pilate. Listen again to His words: “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21).
“Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’ ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me’” (John 18:36-37).
How can we draw any other conclusion from all the evidence than the fact that the Kingdom of God that Jesus instructed us to seek above all else is a spiritual and relational one—not of this world in the sense of a political and governmental machine with military force—but a diverse composite of human individuals with personal HEARTS AFTER GOD? Hallelujah!—confusion adequately resolved!