Jesus told parables to help the people understand what God was doing in their present moment. This parable of the Rich man and Lazarus is not about life and life after death. It is not a moral tale about riches and poverty; although there are clearly some inferences we can take and apply to our lives.
In the parable of the Prodigal Son we read about the son who was lost and found, dead and alive. We read about the older son who had forgotten about his lost brother and who had no interest in acknowledging, much less caring for his destitute younger brother. Even seeing his long lost brother coming home in humility and repentance did not open the older brother’s eyes.
Luke follows this parable with Jesus teaching about faith, forgiveness and obedience. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews captures the point of Jesus’ teaching here when he wrote, “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2) When we keep our eyes on Jesus the virtue of humility arises in our lives. When we take our eyes off of Jesus the sin of pride arises.
Pride can be insidious as revealed by the disciples asking Jesus for great faith. They didn’t need great faith; they needed faith in a GREAT God. When you have faith in a great God you are no longer concerned about ‘what’s in it for me.’
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
29-Jan-12 Luke 17:11-37
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