#luke 16

There are passages in Scripture that comfort me, steady me, wrap around me like a warm blanket on a tired night.

And then there are the passages that don’t let me sleep.

Luke 16 is one of them.

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09/23/2022

Perhaps we could devise an intricate pulley-system to deliver stuff?

While pondering the scripture of the rich man and lazarus there was a request from the rich man to abraham. The rich man wanted abraham to send lazarus to the living to warn his brethren, thinking it would make them believe. Abraham responded that this would not work. We see an example of this when Jesus was sent from heaven and worked many miracles but many still would not believe.

Luke 16:19-31

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Matthew 12:22-24

22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

Then Jesus said to his apprentices, “There once was a rich man who had a household manager. But he was accused of squandering his boss’s assets. So the man called him in and said, ‘Do you know what I’ve heard about you? Turn in your accounting records. You are no longer my manager.’ He thought to himself, ‘What am I going to do? I need this job! I’m no laborer, and I couldn’t bear the shame of begging… I know! Here’s how I’ll line up a job for myself after I leave here.’ So he called up each one of his boss’s debtors. He asked one, ‘How much do you owe my employer?’ He replied, ‘One- thousand gallons of oil.’ So he said, ‘Quickly, take your bill, cross that out and instead write, “Five-hundred.”’ Then he asked another, ‘What about you, what do you owe?’ He said, ‘One-thousand bushels of wheat.’ So he said, ‘Take your bill, and instead write, “Eight- hundred.”’ When the bad steward’s boss found out, he commended him for using his head. You see, the people who belong to this world understand this world better than the people who belong to the light. So, just like the steward, learn to make good use of your worldly resources while you still can to make friendships, so you will always have a home—and for eternity. Whoever is trustworthy with little is also trustworthy with much. And whoever is self-serving with little is also self-serving with much. So if you cannot be trusted with even worldly wealth, why should you be trusted with true, heavenly wealth? And if you cannot be trusted with someone else’s property, why should anyone give you property of your own? Nobody can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and adore the other, or you will devote yourself to one and ignore the other. It is impossible to serve both God and possessions.”

When the Pharisees heard all this they scoffed at Jesus, because they loved their money. So he said to them, “You try so hard to get other people to think you are pious, but God knows what is really in your hearts. You see, what most people think is admirable, God sees as repulsive. The law of Moses and the words of the prophets were in effect until John the Immerser; but now, the good news about the Kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it. Still, it is easier to obliterate heaven and earth than to erase a single letter from the law. For example, if you divorce your wife and marry another, it is adultery. And if you marry a divorced woman, it is adultery.”

Day 9/9 

 The conflict has killed over 319,000 people, including 86,000 civilians, and caused large-scale displacement. 14.9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria, including 6.3 million internationally displaced people.

Luke 16:19-25 NLT Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.  At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.  As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried,  and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.

Prayer: Gracious God illuminate our eyes so that we can see the Lazaruses in our lives and in our world that have been forgotten. Like Lazarus, our Syrian brothers and sisters have been neglected by us, our countries, and the world. Nations have closed off their borders and refused to give them sanctuary. Everyday thousands flee from their home, suffer unspeakable hardship, and are killed. Jesus, all things are reconciled in you please reconcile the Syrian people and bring peace to this nation that desperately needs you. God, soften the hearts of the leaders of our world that have not heard the cries for a peaceful resolution. Stop the attacks on civilians and eliminate the obstacles on humanitarian intervention. 

This battle against Syria is not only against flesh and blood but there is spiritual forces in place. Lord, I beg you to intervene, let there be no weapon that is formed against our innocent Syrian brothers and sisters prosper. Strengthen and protect them Lord from the evil one for their victory is found in you alone Jesus. 

Lord, I confess that I have not done enough for the Lazaruses in my life which I now see as my Syrian brothers and sisters and I am sorry. So, Lord I pray that you inspire us to look beyond ourselves and own needs. Break our hearts by what break yours. Lord, Grant us and your Church the perseverance to take action to strive for the wellbeing of your Syrian people. Help us to make great efforts to welcome them into our countries and in welcoming them may we welcome and honor you God.

Many attempts to end this war have failed Lord but let them fail no more. Please lead us into the direction you want us to follow so that we may be aligned with your will and your plan for Syria. Jesus I trust you and so I thank you in advance for the great things you will do for Syria. In Jesus’ name I pray amen!

“So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 

Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 

But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.’ ”