Devotionals for November 15, 2023
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READ
Luke 16:19-25
19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,
23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,
23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
REFLECT
The fall of man has impacted all creation. Every part of our lives, and the world around us, is touched by the fall in some way. The consequences of the sins of our first parents have resulted in a world that does not obey our governance. We were made to “subdue” and “have dominion” over creation. In other words, humans were designed to encounter disorganization and organize it, and we were given the divine command and capability to do so. The fall changed this. Now, the creation which was meant to be subdued by us will resist us. Food will not grow as we like it to. Animals will not obey us. Etc.
Perhaps this extends into more personal areas of our lives. The inability to fix broken relationships. The futility we feel at the task of effectively parenting our children. The vulnerability we feel to the parts of creation we were designed to have dominion over. All of these are the curse handed down to us. When we experience the resistance of creation, we are reminded of Adam. But anytime we are reminded of Adam, we must orient our minds to the New Adam, the one who, through his life, death, and resurrection has begun the restoration of creation.
Perhaps this extends into more personal areas of our lives. The inability to fix broken relationships. The futility we feel at the task of effectively parenting our children. The vulnerability we feel to the parts of creation we were designed to have dominion over. All of these are the curse handed down to us. When we experience the resistance of creation, we are reminded of Adam. But anytime we are reminded of Adam, we must orient our minds to the New Adam, the one who, through his life, death, and resurrection has begun the restoration of creation.
APPLY
Q: What is significant about the poor man’s name being used while the rich man remains nameless?
Q: Is there something in your life that you treat as your identity that is not God?
Q: What does this passage imply about earthly success and riches?
Q: Is there something in your life that you treat as your identity that is not God?
Q: What does this passage imply about earthly success and riches?
SING
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Lord help us not to seek our identity in our work. Help us to accept no identity which is not from you. Amen.
Lord help us not to seek our identity in our work. Help us to accept no identity which is not from you. Amen.