Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Hello, folks.
Quite a nice morning out there. Becki and I enjoyed some of it out of doors doing another walk/jog. It sure feels like the weather is making for some positive ski conditions.
I plan to head out soon and drop a big dead fir tree that has had half its top blown off for years. If the wood is sound enough, Andy and family will come over tomorrow and we’ll work together to bust it up for firewood. I think there’s at least two cords in that one log.
Then there’s some sawmill work to do to complete cutting the required pieces for a small timberframe project. Then little boys are coming for the weekend.
Wow—the sunshine is beautiful!—and welcome! Blessings on your day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
Listen carefully to Judas’ (not Iscariot) question: “Why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
Now listen carefully to Jesus’ response: “Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.’” (verses 23-24).
I don’t know about you, but if I were Judas, I might be tempted to be a little confused with Jesus’ answer. At least at first. It doesn’t seem like Jesus even heard the question. But as I let Jesus’ words sink in, it begins to make sense—that He is answering Judas quite appropriately. In fact I’m recognizing anew that Jesus is really cutting to the heart of the whole debate over “the security of the believer” by linking the whole matter up with the first and foremost requirement contained in all of Biblical revelation—TO TRULY LOVE GOD. Indeed, loving Jesus IS loving God.
Let me make an attempt at paraphrasing what I think Jesus is intending: “Whether or not people see me in the flesh is not important, Judas. What is important is that people individually come to exercise A HEART AFTER GOD. That attitude will activate personal enlightenment and divine guidance by the Holy Spirit that will lead a seeker to loving me and obeying my teachings. Such a transformation of heart and soul will guarantee one a place in God’s presence both now and forever.”
I think it would be legitimate to formulate a lesson from this: Jesus may not always answer all your questions, but He will always give a reply…imparting to the attentive heart what is most important.