THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - FRIDAY

LESSON: LUKE 12:16-21

Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.” Luke 16:25

The inability of Lazarus to render bodily service to his neighbor has been more than recompensed by the rich spiritual service he has been enabled to render to others. For now, after his death, he serves the whole world with his sores, hunger, and distress. His bodily hunger feeds our spiritual hunger; his bodily nakedness clothes our spiritual nakedness; his bodily sores heal our spiritual sores.

He teaches and comforts us by his example, reminding us that God can still be pleased with us even if things do not go well with us here on earth, provided that we have faith. He warns us that God’s wrath can come upon us even if things go well for us in unbelief, even as God was pleased with him in his wretchedness and displeased with the rich man.

What king, with all his wealth, could render the whole world a service comparable with the service rendered us by Lazarus with his sores, hunger, and poverty? How wonderful are God’s works and judgements! In what a masterly manner He puts to shame the clever fool, with his reason and worldly wisdom, who prefers to see the beautiful purple of the rich man rather than the sores of poor Lazarus, who would rather look at a healthy man like the rich man than at an ugly naked body like that of Lazarus.

Christian faith brings about a complete change in our whole set of values.

SL 11:1200 (16-17)
AE 78:59

PRAYER: Enlighten us with Your Holy Spirit, heavenly Father, that we may always get and keep our values straight as Your children by faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.