24.03.25 Luke 16:16-31

Prepare -

God, create in us a hunger, a desire, a thirst for you. Clear our minds from the many distractions that we’ve got and help us want you more than anything else. 

Read – Luke 16:16-31

‘The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

18 ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

19 ‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 ‘The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”

25 ‘But Abraham replied, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.”

27 ‘He answered, “Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.”

29 ‘Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.”

30 ‘“No, father Abraham,” he said, “but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.”

31 ‘He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”’

Reflect

This is a challenging passage. It reminds us that there are certain things that we can only do this side of eternity. We can only be generous this side of eternity, we can only show unconditional love to someone who is lost, we can only share the gospel now. 

 Francis Chan said “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” Let’s make the main thing, the main thing. We’ll spend all of eternity in Heaven, but we’re given a chance to build God’s Kingdom now.

Be

Jesus, be close to us as we navigate the difficult and exciting time of the now, but not yet. Fill us with your Spirit, with your love to be generous with the gifts that you’ve given us.

Become

Father, we naturally tend to be selfish only thinking about what is important for us. Change our hearts to become like your heart. Change our priorities that they might become your priorities. 

Do

Holy Spirit, guide us today to be generous, not like the rich fool in the parable. What can we do today to share of our time, possessions, skills with others? Let’s reflect on our day and who we can be generous with today.

Practice:

God help us reflect on our lives and priorities. Help us think about what we’re investing and succeeding in, is this how you’d like us to invest our lives? We’ve got one life to share and extend God’s Kingdom on Earth, let’s make the most of it.

Focus prayer:

Father, we love and adore you.

We long to shape our lives closer to you.

May we focus on your grace in this season.

Help us to be humble and gentle.

Remain in us, as we remain in you.

As we pray: do what only you can do.