Send Someone to Tell Them
Opening Prayer
Reflect on the gift of life and ask God now to help you live meaningfully each day you are given.
Read Luke 16:19-31
[19] “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. [20] At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores [21] and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. [23] In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. [24] So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ [25] “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ [27] “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, [28] for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ [29] “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ [30] “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ [31] “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why was the rich man in torment?Death is an uncomfortable subject—a taboo which we studiously avoid. In this parable Jesus confronts the issue head on. Jesus’ story begins by challenging the notion of worldly wealth as an indicator of spiritual status. We are left in no doubt that the poor man is blessed in the afterlife, whereas the rich man is in torment. The unnamed rich man begs for water, but learns that it is too late for him to change his situation. He longs to warn his brothers not to live as he has, but is told that it is enough that they have the law and prophets to guide them. The man thinks this will be insufficient; someone returning from the dead should make them listen. Jesus’ teaching is eerily prophetic: they will not be convinced even by a resurrection. All this comes before Christ himself goes to the cross and rises from the grave. Knowing full well that many will reject him, God still responds to the rich man’s request to send someone to warn them. The irony is that it is Jesus himself who has been sent for exactly this purpose.
Apply
Think of friends, neighbors and family members who are not followers of Jesus. Pray for them now.
Closing prayer
Lord, I pray for those I know and love who don’t know You. In Your mercy, send someone to them.
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