Today's Reading:

Matthew 19
Mark 10:1-31
Luke 16
Luke 17
Luke 18:1-30

Only the Gospel of Luke told the story of the man who lived in luxury. The purple dyes and fine linen were extremely expensive and typically only for royalty. Both the man and the beggar (Lazarus) died. Lazarus was the only named person in all of Jesus’ parables. This was not the same Lazarus, brother to Mary and Martha, that Jesus raised from the dead. The angels carried Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom (a place of honor and comfort in the afterlife), which was grace.  I like to refer to this Heaven as the Heaven holding place before the new Heaven and earth come. The rich man died and was in Hades or Sheol, which is Hell before the final Hell. Notice how the man in Hell could see across the Great Chasm to Heaven. He called out in agony to Abraham, begging for water. He also asked for his own family to be warned of Hell. Abraham told him everyone has their own choices, and they should listen to Moses and the prophets. If they won’t repent on earth, they will not be convinced if someone rises from the dead (Jesus). The Great Chasm shows the finality of the destiny set by this life. There is no purgatory and no second chances.

Lazarus was given no words, no deeds of righteousness, and no opportunity to earn anything in the story, just grace. He is simply a suffering poor man. Angels carry him to the place of honor and comfort beside Abraham. This is pure favor from God. His name itself (“God helps”) reinforces the point. The difference is real: the rich man is simply buried, while the angels personally carry Lazarus to a place of comfort. The Pharisees would not have liked Lazarus in heaven because he had died ill (with sores, maybe leprosy), which meant Abraham had to be near a sick man.

Grace is extended to the living; we already have Moses and the Prophets. The point is that we are given the opportunity to repent. The story is told to the crowd (and us) while there is still time. The invitation is grace.

What does it say about grace that Lazarus is carried by angels without a single word or deed recorded in his favor?

Yesterday’s readings were about the cost of following Jesus. Today, we continued in Matthew 19, where the Pharisees are again trying to trap Jesus in legality and social issues. They ask about divorce for any and all reasons. He points them back to creation with a closing “therefore”: do not let anything separate the union; it is permanent. The Pharisees brought up Moses’ permission from the Old Testament, which was a concession because of human sinfulness. Divorce is not ideal. The exception for sexual immorality acknowledges a real breach of trust in the union and still upholds the permanence. The Pharisees were changing the laws to fit their needs. The goal is to have a soft heart. If you are faithful and have a soft heart, then there would be no cheating.

Jesus responded that marriage is not for everyone if they cannot keep their vows. He described three kinds of eunuchs: those born without the physical capability or desire for marriage, those castrated by others (such as men who served in ancient courts so they could not impregnate royal women), and those who choose voluntary celibacy to devote themselves fully to God. Not everyone is able to remain unmarried; those who can should accept the calling, while those who cannot are not expected to. In Mark 10:11-12, he noted that marriage is reciprocal. A man who divorces and remarries commits adultery against her. And she who divorces and remarries also commits adultery. In ancient Jewish times, the woman rarely initiated a divorce, which is why Matthew, writing to the Jews, left out this part. Each Gospel writes to their audience. Marriage is the normal path, yet singleness is also valid and honorable.

The disciples rebuked the people who brought children to see Jesus for prayers. Jesus said do not hinder them. There is value in childlike trust and dependence. Just then, a wealthy man asked how he could get into heaven. Jesus responded to keep the commandments. The man pressed on that he had done so. So, Jesus said, if he wanted to be “perfect,” then to sell everything. The word “perfect” here in Greek is “teleios” which means “complete or mature”, not necessarily “sinless or morally flawless”; therefore, complete or mature in faith. The man’s attachment to his wealth was holding him back from being fully committed. His own heart showed what his biggest possession was. The man left sad, and the disciples were astonished at how hard it would be to get into the kingdom of heaven. The camel and the eye of a needle was a deliberate image of impossibility. With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Through divine action, anyone can be saved.

Jesus promised the disciples twelve thrones in heaven as shared authority in a symbolic sense. The twelve tribes of Israel represent the judgment of the people of God. He then broadened the statement to include anyone who has made a sacrifice for Jesus’ sake.

                  Luke told the Parable of the Shrewd Manager, who was commended not because of his dishonesty but because of his shrewdness. The manager was going to be fired and used the master’s resources in order to make friends with the debtors for his own personal gain. While he had foresight, he used it wrong. Earthly resources do not last. Do not “buy” your friendships in corrupt ways. We are called to use God’s resources because everything in the end is His. Be generous to others and benefit them, not yourself. Give to the poor and needy, support the work of the Gospel, and use your resources to help relationships that have a lasting value. Keep your eye on eternity. Faithfulness in how you handle worldly wealth tests your readiness for the true eternal riches. Align yourself with the Kingdom. The Pharisees had just sneered at Jesus’ teaching on money. The “Law and Prophets” was a way to refer to the Old Testament. Jesus said John the Baptist came to prepare the way, and now that time is over. The Good News of the Kingdom was being preached and open for people to enter. He said the law is not forgotten but showed the permanent nature of it fulfilled by Jesus Himself. The Pharisees claim to uphold the law, yet how they treat the love of money and easy divorce falls short. The Torah (first five books of the Bible) is your guide. Scripture is sufficient to lead people to repentance. True wealth is measured by how you treat the needy and respond to God’s word.

Some of Luke parallels other readings from Matthew and Mark. Luke writes about warnings, forgiveness, faith, and duty.  Jesus had just been asked to increase the disciples’ faith. He gave a Parable of the Unworthy or Unprofitable Servant. This was about a servant coming in from the field; they are to say, “we are unworthy servants, we have done our duty.” The master does not invite the servants to eat with him. He expects to be served because it is simply their job. Tiny faith can accomplish great things, so guard yourself against pride. Do not expect special status or repayment from God. We should hold to a master/servant relationship and do our duty.

Luke then gave the Parable of the Persistent Widow. This is about praying and not giving up. As a widow, the woman was vulnerable, with no family to help her in litigation. Her only option was to be persistent in wearing down the judge to help her. The judge finally relented and helped. Jesus wanted to teach the disciples about perseverance in prayer, especially when the answers seem delayed. The judge is unjust; he just did not fear God or care what others think. He had no higher moral ground for doing what is right. If the unjust judge did what was right just because of sheer persistence, then how much more will God help those who call out and pray to Him. He loves to hear you. Quickly does not mean in our human time. It just means God will not delay forever. Will you still be praying and trusting when the Son of Man, Jesus, returns? God will bring justice, and He will not delay forever.

Jesus continued with the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, aimed at people who trusted in their own goodness and looked down on everyone else. The Pharisee stood by himself, patted his own back, and thanked God that he was better than other people like robbers, cheaters, adulterers, and even the tax collector nearby. He told of all the good things he did, like fasting twice a week and giving a tenth of everything he had. The tax collector, on the other hand, stood far off. He would not even look up to heaven. He beat his chest and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus said the tax collector went home right with God, not the Pharisee. Those who put themselves on a pedestal will be brought down, and those who humble themselves will be lifted up. These are two different ways of coming to God: one boasts about his own achievements while looking down on others, while the other admits his sins and asks for mercy. We are all called to repent and seek mercy from God.

Today's Discussion question:

Click here to link to our Facebook group for discussion, questions, and additional content.