Inspiration

I haven't given much thought to the phenomenon of "inspiration." I've been content to let it be a part of the origin of the scriptures and have refered to impressive programs, writings, music and worship experiences as inspirational. I've generally not delved too deeply into the role of inspiration, especially of scripture, because it seems to me some have made it into an argument to prove that all scripture is of equal value and its meaning lays on the surface because that is the way God said it


But once in a while as a preacher I have had an experience in the process of interpreting scripture that has caused me to consider more seriously the possibility of a spiritual revelation that comes from beyond my study and thought processes. It is a sudden insight that causes one to ask, "where did that come from?"

Recently I was preparing a bible study for a class at the Mennonite Retirement Community. Since it was in the Lenten season I chose a passage from Mark 10. I rather arbitrarily marked down verses 32-52, choosing a long section to make sure I wouldn't run out of material. It is an acount of Jesus traveling with the twelve disciples on his final trip to Jerusalem. There is this request from James and John to Jesus for preferential treatment when it came to upper level assignments in their version of the kingdom. Jesus counters with his probing questions which revel their ignorance of the nature of God's kingdom and concludes with the simple but profound key to greatness in that realm.

When I got to that point in my preparation I seemed to have gotten to the end of the story. In my bible there was not only a paragraph break but a dividing space of two lines which would indicate a break which would seem to say, "And now for something completely different." I read farther to make sure I had all the ends tied when it suddenly came to me that the author may have wanted to say something further about those self-seeking disciples who so brazenly angled for preferential treatment and nonchalantly answered Jesus' questions about how they would follow him.

For in the fianal paragraph of this chapter, vv. 46-52, Mark inserts the healing of the blind beggar and I suspect for good reason. It suddenly occured to me that the author wants to show the disciples for what they are, as blind as Bartimaeus, but unaware of it and certainly not willing to acknowledge it. For compare their approach to Jesus in contrast to that of Bartimaeus. "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." Bartimaeus only pleads for mercy, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"


The two requests are startling in their difference. On the one hand the disciples ask for a open ended approval of anything they ask for. And on the other Jesus asks the the beggar what he would like to have done for him. The disciples receive a rebuff for their thoughtless ambition while the humble beggar receives a life changing gift. While the disciples prove to be blind to the ways and designs of their teacher the blind beggar's eyes are opened and becomes a carrier of the evidence of the new kingdom.


Has this connection never been thought of before? Of course it has. I am only a Johnny-come-lately who catches on to the obvious rather slowly. But in that moment when the connection became clear it felt like inspiration in that I had received a gift of new understanding that was meaningful and I could pass on to others. I will need to consider further inspiration and how this is similar or different from the experience of the writers of scripture.

But for now the only response I can think of is " Thanks be to God!"

Maintaining the Peace

I over-slept this morning. I've decided I don't need an alarm and usually don't. Well, this morning I should have used one because I dozed 45 minutes too long. I raced off to my breakfast meeting and found that instead of being the first one there as I have been the last 20 years, I was the last. Had to squeeze in among the eight other breakfasters and when they looked quizzically my way I was ready.

"I decided to take a different view of the world," I explained. "this morning I even think we ought to repeal the 'health care' bill." Everyone burst out laughing. I guess coming from me that was a ridiculous streatch. I heard my friend beside me murmur, "I didn't think I would bring that up today."
He didn't and noone else did eather and we talked about real estate prices, NCAA playoff games, and the current trend to build smaller homes. It was a pleasant conversation with some good jokes thrown in for good measure.

You see, we've tried talking about politics and while noone has gotten hurt that I know of, it just seems safer to stick to non-controversial issues--the stuff we all either agree on or are not very deeply invested in. And, I suspect that as the rehetoric has heated up on the national level and in the media that we feel less comfortable identifying with one side or the other.

Of course, we know where everyone stands. I don't think I have pushed my views very hard but apparently what I think just comes through. Thus everyone thought it was out of character for me to even mention repealing the health care bill. We all respect each other for whatever view we hold and are ready to just let it be that way.

The reason I find this avoidance of issues acceptable is that in the matter of national politics what we individually hold doesn't really make any difference. If we were dealing with an issue with our life together in the church then I would find avoiding conversation unacceptable.

We will continue our Friday morning fellowship at breakfast in good spirits and even informative conversation some times even raising theological issues. Perhaps one of our more argumentive members will dare to voice a political opinion but I doubt that we will pursue it long nor in depth. And I am sure that in the mix there will be a joke or two to defuse the angst. Thus we will be a gathering of peacful people enjoying what each one brings and leaving the dead to bury their dead.