Luke 16:19-31 (NRSV)
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Verse 19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. Verse 20And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, Verse 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. Verse 22The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. Verse 23In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. Verse 24He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' Verse 25But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Verse 26Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' Verse 27He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house- Verse 28for I have five brothers-that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Verse 29Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' Verse 30He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' Verse 31He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Devotion
In the rural communities which I have served, some days it’s harder than others to notice or distinguish the rich from the Lazaruses in the community. When I look around, I see the heads of organizations or farms, and on the other hand I see hired hands or the poor. I wonder in what ways our world today may hold examples like the rich man and Lazarus in Jesus’ story. The hired hands may be grateful for the work that they are given, the roofs over their heads, and the farmers also grateful for the work of the hired hands. But are all treated like God would want them to be treated? I wonder as I think about funerals, who would be there in attendance to remember. Would the hired hands’ funeral be as well attended and cared for as the farm head’s funeral?
Prayer
Lord, help us to see not only the heads of families, the heads of farms and companies as wonderful people, but help us to see the hired hands as just as important. Help us to care for each other in these times. Amen.
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