The story of the rich man, Abraham and Lazarus (Luke chapter 16)
This seems very relevant today in this society where the rich- poor divide is growing exponentially.
Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on ME, and send LAZARUS, that HE may dip the tip of HIS finger in water, and cool MY tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Even when the rich man was dead, in the direst of places, a place of unchanging torment, HE was focused on Lazarus serving HIS needs, was only concerned about HIS pain , HIS priorities, HIS relationship with Abraham. There was a sense of a spirit of jealousy, the poor man over there isn't thirsty, isnt in pain any more. 'Why does he get to be pain free, Father Abe, why does he get to be thirst free and I get left here in torment? This isnt making sense! 'I'm too polite to ask you to do it, Abraham, your a respectable, rich guy yourself just like me, you know the things I need and how to get them. You had slaves and servants, you know how this works, the power dynamics, you're the man in charge. Just tell him I'm to come! 'Can't you send him, Lazarus of all people the silly beggar who sat with dogs rather than the influential, you know the ex poor man? He's easily influenced to do things. I've done it before myself. Have a word with him, pretty please.'
Its that dependent relationship where the other person lives rent free in your head and you can't stop thinking about him and how your needs can be met by them. Feed me! give me a Drink!
No interest in Lazarus, who is now promoted into the arms of Father Abraham's presence, not interested in Lazarus's good fortune to be rich, healthy and wise and well connected, sitting with the right people, how God had blessed him now. No. The real thing to focus on, in the Rich Man's puny logic, was the negativity, the thirst, the distance he felt from everyone else. Nothing good to say about Lazarus's change of luck or praise the Lord for how good He had been to Lazarus. What about me myself and l? Have they forgotten me?! Its me, the ex rich man who had the fancy wife and social status . Mr generous, always right , doing good, apart from the poor beggar on his doorstep. Neighbours if you like, in the same apartment block . But i loved God!!!
Friends, pause at this spot right now and think about this: if there's someone living rent free in your head and you cant stop thinking about him/her, not in a good way to help them mind you, but how they need you and they can feed you, if you are expecting someone else to serve your needs, to quench your thirst and don't care about their needs, their hunger, watch out, because judgment is coming, and it won't be pleasant..
Hell is real right now for someone you probably know, and the torment also resides in some people's headspace in this world.
The CrackedPot Christian
#Lazarus #Luke_16 #Rich_man #judgement #lakeoffire #jealousy #torment #jesusarmy
The story of the rich man, Abraham and Lazarus
(Luke chapter 16)
This seems very relevant today in this society where the rich- poor divide is growing exponentially.
Luke 16:24
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on ME, and send LAZARUS, that HE may dip the tip of HIS finger in water, and cool MY tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Even when the rich man was dead, in the direst of places, a place of unchanging torment, HE was focused on Lazarus serving HIS needs, was only concerned about HIS pain , HIS priorities, HIS relationship with Abraham. There was a sense of a spirit of jealousy, the poor man over there isn't thirsty, isnt in pain any more.
'Why does he get to be pain free, Father Abe, why does he get to be thirst free and I get left here in torment? This isnt making sense!
'I'm too polite to ask you to do it, Abraham, your a respectable, rich guy yourself just like me, you know the things I need and how to get them. You had slaves and servants, you know how this works, the power dynamics, you're the man in charge. Just tell him I'm to come!
'Can't you send him, Lazarus of all people the silly beggar who sat with dogs rather than the influential, you know the ex poor man? He's easily influenced to do things. I've done it before myself. Have a word with him, pretty please.'
Its that dependent relationship where the other person lives rent free in your head and you can't stop thinking about him and how your needs can be met by them. Feed me! give me a Drink!
No interest in Lazarus, who is now promoted into the arms of Father Abraham's presence, not interested in Lazarus's good fortune to be rich, healthy and wise and well connected, sitting with the right people, how God had blessed him now.
No. The real thing to focus on, in the Rich Man's puny logic, was the negativity, the thirst, the distance he felt from everyone else. Nothing good to say about Lazarus's change of luck or praise the Lord for how good He had been to Lazarus. What about me myself and l? Have they forgotten me?! Its me, the ex rich man who had the fancy wife and social status . Mr generous, always right , doing good, apart from the poor beggar on his doorstep. Neighbours if you like, in the same apartment block . But i loved God!!!
Friends, pause at this spot right now and think about this:
if there's someone living rent free in your head and you cant stop thinking about him/her, not in a good way to help them mind you, but how they need you and they can feed you, if you are expecting someone else to serve your needs, to quench your thirst and don't care about their needs, their hunger, watch out, because judgment is coming, and it won't be pleasant..
Hell is real right now for someone you probably know, and the torment also resides in some people's headspace in this world.
5 months ago | [YT] | 0