Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good evening, dear people.
I hear the sound of collected rain water flowing down the downspout at the corner of the studio. I thought it was to remain dry for a few days. I’m no where near finished with that roof repair. I meant to work on it more this afternoon, but another job came up that had some urgency attached to it—so I did it. It involved the boom truck—driving to Silverton to lift a huge gluelam ridge beam in place at a building project. Prior to that I did a mill job of about 3 hours—slicing up a total of 10 salvaged telephone pole logs. I was glad we only hit one piece of metal.
This morning, I dropped our female cat off at the vet clinic to be spayed. We need to remember to pick her up in the morning.
Good night. Sleep well.
Love, Dad/Ray.
By carefully examining the context, I am led to understand that the ASKING Jesus speaks of here is not concerned with asking for stuff. He, for good reason, refuses to be reduced to a celestial “Genie” who will grant all our wishes to feed our self-centeredness. Instead it involves asking for understanding and clarification as to the essential what, why, how, and where of Jesus’ words. Insecurity and fear are the automatic human responses to a setting of crisis out of control. It’s easy, even unavoidable, to find ourselves in such settings along the way—circumstances that do not naturally yield joy and peace—quite the opposite. Jesus is making the claim that, although bad times are coming, the premium qualities of joy and peace are still available only in Him. They flow out of relationship with Him—a knowing that He is still in charge—a trusting confidence that we are in His care and keeping.
The last verse in this reading is immensely wonderful. I’m going to quote it here and stick in some of my own parenthetical comments. “I have told you these things, so that in me (Here’s another good place to quote Colossians 1:27—“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”) you may have peace (Is there any psychological commodity more valuable?). In this world (In this dirty deceptive “dumpster” environment…) you will have trouble. (That’s a promise! Don’t miss this fact!) But take heart! (That’s a command. The KJV says, “Be of good cheer.” Total joy.) I have overcome the world” (That is, “I am not intimidated or controlled by this dirty deceptive “dumpster” environment! I totally transcend it! Remain in me and you can too!”).