Weekly Devotion no 43
12 March 2021
Bible reading – Luke 16:19-31[1]
19 “Once there was a rich man. He was dressed in purple cloth and fine
linen. He lived an easy life every day. 20 A man
named Lazarus was placed at his gate. Lazarus was a beggar. His body was covered
with sores. 21 Even dogs came and licked his sores.
All he wanted was to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.
22 “The time came when the beggar died. The angels carried him to Abraham’s
side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In
the place of the dead, the rich man was suffering terribly. He looked up and
saw Abraham far away. Lazarus was by his side. 24 So
the rich man called out, ‘Father Abraham! Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip
the tip of his finger in water. Then he can cool my tongue with it. I am in
terrible pain in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember what happened in your lifetime. You
received your good things. Lazarus received bad things. Now he is comforted
here, and you are in terrible pain. 26 Besides, a
wide space has been placed between us and you. So those who want to go from
here to you can’t go. And no one can cross over from there to us.’
27 “The rich man answered, ‘Then I beg you, father Abraham. Send Lazarus to
my family. 28 I have five brothers. Let Lazarus
warn them. Then they will not come to this place of terrible suffering.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have the teachings of Moses and the Prophets.
Let your brothers listen to them.’
30 “ ‘No,
father Abraham,’ he
said. ‘But if
someone from the dead goes to them, they will turn away from their sins.’
31 “Abraham said to him, ‘They do not listen to Moses and the Prophets. So they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Reflection
I’m sure we all know
of people who have died recently. They may have been a friend, a member of the
family, a companion, a spouse, a past colleague. The separation from them can
feel harsh and final. Their death may have been sudden or it may have been slow
and drawn out. They may have been able to prepare for their death or they may
have had no warning.
In our society, we don’t talk about death much. In some other cultures, death is very much a part of life, not hidden away. As the saying goes, there are only two things certain in life: death and taxes!
Maybe we don’t talk about death because we’re scared by it, or maybe we’re embarrassed to show our anxiety about this inevitable event to others. Maybe it’s because it seems very final, it feels like it’s the end of our opportunities in life. There are no more chances to make amends or fix the things we have done, no more chances to make a better impression or to make our mark.
This story from Jesus shows us that death is significant in his eyes. And from the story, we see that the decisions we make in life affect how we experience death. The rich man had enjoyed his life of excess and hadn’t taken any note of the warnings from the prophets and scriptures about neglecting his relationship with God. On the other hand, Lazarus, whilst living a hard life on earth, had a relationship with God and so remained with him for eternity.
In Jesus, we know someone who has risen from the dead. We have a choice whether or not to accept his lordship in our lives. If we do, we have nothing to fear about death, for we know that our relationship with Jesus will continue beyond our earthly death as we join him in the new heaven and new earth. We have hope for our future in Christ and so need not be anxious in talking about death.
And not fearing death
enables us to live our lives to the full. Jesus said, ‘I have come that they may
have life, and have it to the full.’[1]
How we respond to Jesus will affect how we live and die. I pray that we might
not live or die in fear, but that we might live for all eternity in the hope
that God has given us, knowing that we will never be separated from his love.
Hymn
Verse 1
I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship,
should set his love upon the sons of men,
or why, as Shepherd, he should seek the wanderers,
to bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary
when Bethl'em's manger was his only home,
and that he lived at Nazareth and laboured,
and so the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is come.
Verse 2
I cannot tell how silently he suffered,
as with his peace he graced this place of tears,
or how his heart upon the cross was broken,
the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted
and stays our sin and calms our lurking fear
and lifts the burden from the heavy laden;
for still the Saviour, Saviour of the world is here.
Verse 3
I cannot tell how he will win the nations,
how he will claim his earthly heritage,
how satisfy the needs and aspirations
of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory,
and he shall reap the harvest he has sown,
and some glad day his sun will shine in splendour
when he the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is known.
Verse 4
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
when at his bidding every storm is stilled,
or who can say how great the jubilation
when every heart with love and joy is filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
and myriad myriad human voices sing,
and earth to heav'n, and heav'n to earth, will answer,
'at last the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is King!'
Prayer
Everlasting God
in whom we live and
move and have our being,
you have made us for
yourself,
and our hearts are
restless until they find their rest in you:
give us purity of
heart and strength of purpose,
that no selfish
passion may hinder us from knowing your will,
no weakness prevent
us from doing it;
that in your light we
may see light,
and in your service
find perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ
our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
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