Tag: rich man
God’s Will Be Done–on Earth as in Heaven
Scripture reading for July 16: Isaiah 53:9-10 “And they made His grave with the wicked and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, and there was no deceit in His mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.”
Isaiah continues his prophetic picture of the Messiah given about 700 years before Jesus Christ. Messiah would die and be buried in a grave. His death would be that of a wicked man but in His death, He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb. This was because He had done no violence nor was He speaking anything false or blasphemous. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus’ death on the cross as a criminal. Pilate, His Roman judge, found no fault in Him but the crowd demanded He be crucified. After His death, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea asked for His body and wrapped it in linen and burial spices, burying Him in a new tomb with a secure entrance. (Matthew 27:57-60)
According to Isaiah, this was all God’s will and plan. His Son, Jesus Christ, would become like a sacrificial lamb, crushed and slaughtered for the sins of the world. Jesus willingly agreed and obeyed His Father, taking man’s sins in His own body, and offering Himself willingly as an offering acceptable to God. He could do this because He Himself was without sin, violence, or deceit.
As a result of His sacrifice, death and burial, the grave would not hold Him. He would see His offspring, souls who would believe on Him in faith and become children of God. He would rise from the dead as the firstborn of many brothers and sisters who also would enjoy eternal life–the ultimate prolonging of days! Because of Messiah’s obedience and offering, God’s will to save mankind from sin’s penalty of death would prosper to the saving of the whole world through the preaching of this Good News.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for completing and prospering Your will here on earth as in heaven. I pray today as Jesus taught us, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Your Name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” Amen!
The great reversal
Scripture reading for March 25: Luke 16
“”There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 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.”” Luke 10:19-24
The Jews (and modern day people) tended to judge people by their positions and success. If someone was rich and well cared for, they must have God’s favor. Conversely, those that are poor and sick must be under God’s judgment. Jesus, wanting to set their world view in line with the truth, told this parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Both died but where they ended up was shocking to those hearing the story. The sick beggar was taken to Abraham’s side and found comfort and peace awaiting the reward of the righteous. The rich man found himself in Hades in great torment!
Jesus went on to explain that the two departed souls could observe one another in their respective abodes. The rich man, who had ignored the needs of Lazarus on earth called out to ‘Father Abraham’ as a good religious Jew. He simply asked to have Lazarus come and just dip his finger in water to cool his tormented tongue. Father Abraham explained why this great reversal had occurred and how there was now no way to change or help his torment. The rich man had not had mercy on Lazarus and now would reap what he had sowed. God had made it so that part of the torment was to see and understand but not be able to change the final outcome. The rich man pleaded with Father Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers who were also headed for the place of torment. (Luke 16:27-29)
How does Jesus’ parable cause you to evaluate your own life and attitudes towards the poor and needy God places in your path? Have you ever ignored those in need? How concerned are you with those of your family or friends that are in need of a Gospel message?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for ignoring those around me that have great needs. Help me to be attentive each day to pray and obey as You send me to share Your life-giving Gospel and rescue the lost from eternal torment. Thank You for sending those to warn me and share the saving Gospel. Amen.
Do I really want to know?
Scripture reading for August 11th: Hosea 11-13, Matthew 19
Matthew 19:16-22 “And behold; a man came up to Him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why do you as me about what is good? There is only One Who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to Him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Jesus was approached by a rich, young man who was very religious and seemed intent on finding the path to eternal life. He asked Jesus what deed would assure him of eternal life. Jesus pointed the man to God, Who alone is good, and to God’s commandments as a starting place. The man asked Jesus what commandments were important. Jesus responded with the prohibitions against murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and dishonoring your father and mother. He threw in the great commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. This young man said he had kept these but felt something missing. Jesus then advised him to sell his possessions and give them to the poor and follow Him. This exposed his sin of idolatry. He left in sadness–and our Lord was also sad for him!
Matthew 19:28-29 “Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne; you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My Name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”
Prayer: Father God, You are Good and Your goodness had led me to repentance and life through Jesus Christ. Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit to write Your Word on my heart that I might love God alone and love my neighbors as myself, fulfilling Your commandments. Thank You for Truth that leads to life eternal. Use me today to share the Good News of a merciful Savior Who promises such great reward!
Hosea 13:5-6 “It was I Who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought; but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot Me.”
Reward in the new world!
Scripture reading for August 11th: Hosea 11-13, Matthew 19
Key Scriptures: Matthew 19:27-30 “Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have? Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My Name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
The rich young man who had come to Jesus inquiring about eternal life, left dejectedly after he heard Jesus’ answer. Jesus told His disciples how hard it was for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven, and they asked Him about their own sacrifice to follow Him. Jesus promised them a throne of judgment in the new world and eternal life. Those in this life who are prominent because of wealth will be last, and those who renounce riches in this life and follow Jesus will be blessed with eternal reward.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, I have chosen to follow You and leave this world and its riches for a greater riches in knowing You. Help me to keep walking with You, waiting on You, and calling on You. I want to hold fast to Your love and justice and never turn back.
Hosea 12:6 “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”