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Lent Day 13


Scripture Reading

Luke 16:19-31


Can you imagine anything worse than being tormented for eternity? The rich man in this story couldn't stand to see his loved ones experience the same thing. The rich man, now sorrowful for his life of selfishness, asks Abraham to go to his family and tell them the truth that he ignored during his life. How helpless he must have felt to know the truth but was unable to tell his brothers. Abraham told him that his family had the Hebrew scriptures (our Old Testament) that proclaim the truth. The rich man said no, that's not good enough, they must see someone come back from the dead. Abraham knew that if the scriptures do not change a person's heart and life--not even the greatest miracle would change a person's heart. What needs to happen for you to be convinced of the truth of God's word? 


In telling this story, Jesus is also demonstrating his own role in fulfilling the Old Testament. God used the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets to shape and guide his people in their covenant relationship with God. Now Jesus had come as the ultimate fulfillment of the Law. The Law shows us our need for a savior, just as in this story Abraham is Lazarus's savior. The Law and the Prophets make it clear to us that the only possible way for us to have a relationship with God is for a mediator to bridge the gulf between our sinful state as human beings and the holiness of God. Jesus is our mediator.


Prayer: Yahweh, you are still the same God who established your covenant with Abraham. Thank you for including me in the covenant of your love through Jesus' death on the cross. I pray that like Lazarus I will find my rest and reward in you alone. Amen.

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