From My Perspective - - -
It’s strange how interruptions occur at the most inconvenient times, such as: (1) power outage – work is being done on a Computer project and some of that copy is lost or garbled; (2) watching a news event – either a power outage or a commercial break causes one to miss important details; (3) a public speaker – when an audience member rudely yells out; throws an object; has come with a group that will boo and hiss so the speaker can no longer complete the speech; etc. Interruptions are just a part of an ordinary life. If one was able to plan them or for them, would they really be Interruptions? How one responds to interruptions is important. Interruptions invariably occur when one is trying to rest, or dine with a spouse or other friend. It occurs by the telephone call or a knock on ones door. Telemarketers usually call when the average person is trying to relax. Does that annoy or frustrate you? Do you become irritated and resentful? Does it cause you to become impatient? Do you utter a profanity to indicate your annoyance?
There are different types of interruptions. A Classroom or Public Forum where a student politely asks for clarification regarding the subject being taught; or a Public Gathering where someone rudely disrupts with the intent of silencing the speaker. The definition of the word “interruption” is not very helpful. The meaning given is: “something (or someone) that interrupts, such as a comment, question, or action; an interval or intermission…” The Thesaurus lists up to 46 results and possibilities. Among them are: “break; interference…disconnection, discontinuance, disruption, intrusion, parenthesis, pause…” One of the options listed is the word “lacuna” – meaning: “pause, gap, interval, opening, space.” The Philosopher, Schopenhauer once stated: “Noise is one of the most impertinent of all forms of interruption. It is not only an interruption, but is also a disruption of thought.” A man – William Arthur Ward is reported to have said: Interruptions can be viewed as sources of irritation or opportunities for service, as moments lost or experience gained, as time wasted or horizons widened. They can annoy us or enrich us, get under our skin or give us a shot in the arm. Monopolize our minutes or spice our schedules, depending on our attitude toward them.” A somewhat caustic comment was made by Christopher Shays: “Cruise passengers can be blinded to the very real perils of the sea by ship operators unwilling to interrupt the party for security warnings. And after an incident occurs, a thorough investigation can be profoundly difficult when the crime scene has literally floated away, on schedule, to its next port of call,” One of the great political put-downs was in a speech by Arlen Specter when he told an opponent: “The word is, he was looking for a way to interrupt somebody in the middle of the word ‘if’…” There is the sobering thought by Rodney Dangerfield – the man who said – “I don’t get no respect.” – “I haven’t spoken to my wife in years. I didn’t want to interrupt her.”
Throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, there were several interruptions. One of them occurs in John 14. Jesus is in the midst of telling His disciples that He will be leaving them. When His earthly and physical ministry is completed, He will return to Heaven and prepare a place for all of His followers. He is in the middle of His statement in verses 3-4 is: “I will come again and will take you to myself, thatwhere I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” INTERRUPTION – verse 5: “Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Later on, Thomas would also have a problem understanding the resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 20). But this Interruption allowed Jesus to make the very succinct statement regarding one gaining entrance into God’s Heaven – verse 6: “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, andthe life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Kenneth Wuest in his Amplified Greek New Testament Studies gives his literal translation of John 14:6, “Jesus says to him, I alone, in contradistinction to all others, am the road and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Because of the Interruption by Thomas, we have the clear and precise nugget of God’s Truth as Jesus stated: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” In Acts 4:12, Peter and John would offer as their defense: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no othername under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." This is God’s Truth! Have you believed and received it? Consider these things with me!