Luke 16:19-31 NIV - Dire Straits

Luke 16:19-31 NIV
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the rich man had been provided every opportunity to reach out to Lazarus in brotherly love. He did not. Once the rich man died and found himself alone and in extreme distress, there was no one to reach out to him. How different it would have been if he had allowed that poor beggar into his life while he was still living! He would have a friend now. Maybe, he would not be in the dire straits he found himself in, now.

From Hades, he begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his family to warn them so they don't end up like he has. For some reason the rich man thinks his family might listen to Lazarus even though he, himself, had paid no heed to him while he was alive.

No, Father Abraham replies. Your brothers will not listen to Lazarus. They did not listen to Moses or the Prophets. They will not even listen if someone rises from the dead.

Sadly, that is the way it is for many. They will not take the time to pay heed to the stranger at the door, the hungry at our gates. They will not take the time to pay heed to the warnings of Moses or the prophets. They pay no attention to the one who has risen from the dead. Like the rich man, the lives of many are spent focusing on their worldly, day to day, pleasures as they pay no heed to the things that are really important; that will last for eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 56 - Justice of God

"This is what the Lord says:

“Maintain justice
    and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand    
and my righteousness will soon be revealed." (Isa 56:1 NIV)

God's justice is not like our justice. If we refer back to Isaiah 55 we remember that His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. We like to think or pretend they are. We like to twist scripture so that even our unfaithfulness can make us look righteous. But, God knows the truth. He sees.

His justice blesses those, no matter who they are, who are faithful, with eternal life. Isaiah 56 reminds us that He will bless even the foreigner and the eunuch who choose what pleases God. According to today's reading, God blesses the foreigner, the stranger; but, many shepherds He accuses. The very ones who are called to protect His flock are accused of being self-indulgent rather than caring for the flock that the LORD has entrusted us with.

"Israel’s watchmen are blind,
    they all lack knowledge;
they are all mute dogs,
    they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream,
    they love to sleep.
They are dogs with mighty appetites;
    they never have enough.
They are shepherds who lack understanding;
    they all turn to their own way,
    they seek their own gain.
“Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine!
    Let us drink our fill of beer!
And tomorrow will be like today,    or even far better.”  (Isa 56:10-12)

I'm thinking that it will not be far better for those shepherds who desert their flock to feed their own desires.

The stranger and outcast should not think that God does not hear them. Have faith. Trust that He is with you and that He hears and He sees and He will bless all who listen to Him and follow in His Way.

God's Peace - Pr. J.