The Wagley GroupNovember, 2024 – Faithful Living® ~
Jesus taught with His words and actions. Both acknowledged His preeminence and authority as the Christ.
When our Lord spoke to the people, He instructed in allegories. The word allegory defined by Merriam Webster’s dictionary is, “The expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence. Parables, myths, and fables are all considered types of allegories.”
“There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man’s table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores. “Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I’m in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It’s not like that here. Here he’s consoled and you’re tormented. Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.’ “The rich man said, ‘Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won’t end up here in this place of torment.’ “Abraham answered, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them. “‘I know, Father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but they’re not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.’ “Abraham replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, they’re not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31 MSG
Two different lifestyles. Two drastically different outcomes. If you’re keeping score, one man was concerned about survival and one man was consumed with luxurious living. Question. As we look over our lives in the present tense, which fellow do we come closest to right now? Although I am not covered with sores, hungry for my next meal or destitute, I see many in my community with needs and do I take the time to help? Sadly no. You?
By the world’s standards, we are beyond rich. Are we helping or even noticing those whose needs far exceed ours? Do their concerns ever enter our minds? Are there Lazarus’ near us, where we live? Are we attempting to offer help to them? Maybe we have uttered these words, “Can’t get involved. It’s too messy.”
At our Friday morning men’s group on November 8th, we talked about sheep and goats.
“When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ Matthew 25: 31-46 MSG
Can the sheep really adopt the mindset of our friend Lazarus? Now, the spin. How about those who are hungry and thirsty for someone to share the Good News; or homeless, because they are searching for eternity; or naked and shivering, because they are not clothed in Christ’s righteousness; or sick, because they need to believe the healing words of forgiveness; or in prison, because the adversary has deceived and bound their minds in darkness. The evil one and his demons convince the lost that Jesus won’t hear their cry to Him, so they too can be bathed in light and eternally saved.
Meeting the physical needs of people is honorable. Pray that we would diligently display good works in love toward our brothers and sisters in our midst. And be purposeful as well, to genuinely share the saving grace that Christ offers in the Gospel. In my opinion, this truth is of far greater importance than any earthly struggle we may face. For these temporary afflictions will pale in comparison to the eternal weight of glory that awaits all who believe beyond this life.
Lazarus trusted and was carried. The rich guy who lavished and cared less was buried.
At our passing…may our angels carry our souls to be with Christ forever.