Maybe the human plight isn’t about earning a spot in heaven. Maybe the human plight is about bringing about God’s kingdom here on earth. Every word, thought, and action can bring about or crush God’s kingdom. As we read Jesus’ story about the Rich Man and Lazarus, we are led to ask: “How will we show up in the world?”
Worship this week:
Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
No Sunday School this week (spring break)
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
Devotions for this week:
The Rich Man and Lazarus March 26, 2017
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding
Sunday: Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31
Monday: Sayings of Jesus, Luke 17:1-10
Tuesday: Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers, Luke 17:11-19
Wednesday: The Coming of the Kingdom, Luke 17:20-37
Thursday: The Widow and the Unjust Judge, Luke 18:1-8
Friday: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Luke 18:9-17
Saturday: The Rich Ruler, Luke 18:18-30
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
“He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He 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.’” Luke 16:30-31
Rich man, poor man. Heaven and Hell. Was Jesus telling a simple morality tale, or was Jesus making a deeper statement about what is possible for each of us right now – in this present moment?
- Whose voices are you listening to? Whose voices are draining? Whose voices are life-giving? Whose voices could you listen to this week?
- How often are you tempted to believe that your sins are keeping you from heaven or that your good deeds are securing a place for you there? If good works are not the way to salvation, then what is? What, if anything, is required of you?
PRAY: Lord of the here and now, We have Moses and the prophets, and all your faithful witnesses. Open our ears to their message of repentance and reconciliation, that we might waste no time in bringing about your kingdom on earth. Amen.
BLESS: You are rich in spirit and God’s love. Amen.
