PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 16:19-31
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. (Luke 16:22)
For the Jews, being Abraham’s children was their hope and confidence.
They looked forward to being welcomed by Abraham and enjoying God’s blessing forever.
But in this parable Jesus makes it clear that God sees things differently (Luke 16:15).
He calls the unclean bleeding woman a daughter of Abraham (Luke 13:16).
He calls the unacceptable tax collector Zacchaeus a son of Abraham (Luke 19:9)
He calls the Roman centurion’s faith greater than the heirs of Abraham (Matthew 8:10-12).
What matters is whether we walk in Abraham’s footsteps, and do what he did (John 8:39).
Abraham was blessed to bless the nations, not just for himself (Genesis 12:1-3).
In this parable the rich man keeps the blessing to himself, and disregards others.
For this reason he loses the blessing he received, and is excluded from the feast.
The point of this parable is that God’s blessing is meant to be shared, not hoarded.
If we cannot be trusted with this blessing, we will lose it (see 16:10-12).
Jesus is the promised seed of Abraham, showing us how to bless others.
Am I following in Jesus’s footsteps, fulfilling Abraham’s calling to bless others?
PRAYER
Lord, I accept your grace by faith, just like Abraham did. Help me to share this grace in this life, so that I can continue to enjoy it in the next.
In control or submission/obedience? Are my earthly blessings for me or have I been blessed to be a blessing? Moses and the commandments were meant to set up justice and right relationship with God and neighbour – but I have to submit to the authority of the law – I have to submit to God – my obedience honours Him – sets me up for righteousness – but even that I submit I cannot do well enough on my own. So I have to recognize that I’m not really in charge – all that I have is entrusted to me – and I must use responsibility – not for a lavish selfish lifestyle – but rather one that submits to God – to Jesus my Lord and Saviour.
Lazarus means God is my Help. The rich man was his own help and he lived for himself and his material gain. He did not share his blessings but hoarded it. I am meant to share the gifts given – share the love of God. I need to be an instrument of His peace. This passage reminded of the following song 🙂
Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord
Right arm!
Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord
Right arm, left arm!
Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord
Right arm, left arm, right foot!
Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord
Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot!
Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord
Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot
Chin up!
Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord
Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot
Chin up, turn around!
Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord
Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot
Chin up, turn around, sit down!